Ontario Premier Doug Ford is fuelling early election speculation by declining multiple times on Friday to commit to sticking to the planned June 2026 date.

Ford announced Friday that his plan to expand sales of beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails to all grocery stores and eligible convenience stores is being sped up.

He said late last year that the expansion would come by 2026, but now that will start far sooner, with the first phase happening this summer.

Ford took reporters’ questions after his announcement and was asked if he was speeding up the timeline in order to set the stage for an early election call.

He said that is not the reason for his alcohol announcement, but then when asked several more times if he is committed to the June 2026 election date, he did not directly answer.

Ford says he wants to make sure he fulfills his agenda and keeps the promises that he has made.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2024.