Ontario Sets New Record with $111.9 Million in Election Ad Spend

Post by : Mina Rahman

Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government has achieved an unprecedented milestone in advertising spending, pouring a staggering $111.9 million into public promotions ahead of the February snap election—marking the highest expenditure in the province's history. This amount exceeds last year’s record by $8.4 million, setting a new benchmark.

In her annual report, Auditor General Shelley Spence observed that this surge in advertising spending aligned with the upcoming provincial election, emphasizing campaigns that appear to “promote the ruling party” instead of offering clear, informative content about public services.

Criticism has arisen from opposition members regarding the use of taxpayer money for political advantages. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles criticized, stating, “Doug Ford is misleading Ontarians using their own money. People are grappling with real issues—jobs, housing, groceries—and need a government that serves them, not one that produces propaganda.”

The report underscored significant campaigns, including ads aimed at U.S. policymakers intended to mitigate potential trade tariffs, which had an allocated budget of $52 million, with $40.1 million actually spent mainly on television promotions. Additionally, the domestic campaign titled “It’s Happening Here” received attention from the Auditor General last year for lacking a definitive public purpose beyond enhancing governmental image. Spence’s 2025 findings reiterated that the campaign did not convey details about services or programs and seemingly sought to bolster the public's perception of the current state of Ontario, inherently promoting the ruling party.

Concerns are mounting regarding the rising trend of utilizing public funds for branding efforts, especially during election cycles. Analysts are advocating for stricter controls to differentiate government communication from partisan advertising, given the blurred lines resulting from this practice.

The Auditor General’s report has sparked a renewed discussion focusing on the importance of transparency, fiscal responsibility, and ethical utilization of taxpayer funds in Ontario.