Ford defends Brantford-Brant candidate after allegations of homophobia

The election campaign has moved past the halfway mark and the leaders of Ontario’s main political parties have been spreading out in search of votes.

While in Hamilton today, Ford was asked to comment on his Brantford-Brant candidate Will Bouma after a published report said he oversaw a religious publication that made homophobic statements.

“Anyone who knows Will and his family knows those are not his views matter a fact I’ll say that again, not his views. 100%, not his views,” Ford said.

I am a proud, loving, and supportive father to a daughter who is a member of the LGBTQ community – my views are clear, I support the rights of all of my constituents regardless of orientation. I had no involvement in writing these articles.

— Will Bouma (@WillBoumaBrant) May 18, 2022

Opposition parties have called for Bouma to resign.

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca spent his afternoon in Burlington speaking about affordability, “we have heard loudly and clearly here in Burlington and across this province how thrilled Ontarians are with our 19 point pledge on the affordability crisis.”

Del Duca refused to comment when he was asked about allegations raised by the NDP that the Liberal candidate in Chatham-Kent-Leamington was fraudulently registered for next month’s election.

“How can you trust someone to be the leader of the province if you can’t trust them to follow the rules when it comes to the nomination of candidates?” Horwath said.

While Ontario’s New Democrats highlighted their plan for universal pharmacare Horwath was asked about Ford’s trip to her riding of Hamilton. Horwath said, “I think the working people, the good people of Hamilton know very well that New Democrats go to Queen’s Park and fight for them each and every day.”

Green Party leader Mike Schreiner held campaign stops in Parry Sound-Muskoka and Elora.

Schreiner’s party garnered the endorsement of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.

Election Day is June 2nd and despite polls showing Ford with a lead, Horwath says that she’s still campaigning for a majority win.