Doug Ford is totally obsessed with licence plates and here's the proof
Everyone knows that Ontario Premier and PC Party leader Doug Ford has a thing for folksy sayings and fast food splurges, but it's becoming increasingly clear that the guy also has a weird obsession with licence plates.
Whether through his roll-out and cancellation of those wonky blue vehicle plates or his licence plate-focused policies, it seems not a month goes by that Dougie doesn't do something licence plate-related. And now he's even using them in his campaign imagery.
In a bizarre set of images shared by the premier on Thursday, Doug Ford can be seen symbolically removing stickers from a giant licence plate bearing his campaign slogan (and song) of "Get It Done" during a press conference at an auto repair facility.
The Del Duca-Wynne Liberals imposed unfair tolls on Highways 412 and 418 in Durham Region & increased licence plate sticker fees by nearly 25%, making life more expensive.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 5, 2022
Only the Ontario PCs will #GetItDone, remove these unfair tolls & keep costs down for families. #ONPoli pic.twitter.com/AcLJkAVc4C
His message was a shot at the previous Ontario Liberal Party administration's tolls on Highways 412 and 418 in Durham Region, calling them "unfair" and once again boasting of his removal of licence plate sticker renewal fees.
But the Premier incorporating licence plate imagery into his campaign is really just the latest chapter in what seems like an obsession, one that's been growing stronger as he rolls out his party's election promises.
What is the obsession license plates
— tim 🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@RodgerTim) May 5, 2022
The really baffling thing about this is that his ceremonial removal of the giant plate sticker came off more like an announcement than a recap of past accomplishments. It really seemed like Ford was just re-announcing old news for a campaign-friendly photo-op.
... you literally already removed them. Why are you promising to remove them if re-elected?https://t.co/b1DCLJNAP9
— Connor (@connordpeters) May 5, 2022
One commenter took the opportunity to take a jab at Ford's faulty, ill-fated blue licence plates, which were famously rendered unreadable at night.
Doug Ford unveils Ontario’s latest try at making a functioning license plate. Ford says the new plates are four feet high and six feet wide to ensure they can be seen at night. pic.twitter.com/XCD6zg0IAr
— Barney Panofsky's Best Intentions (@mynamesnotgordy) May 5, 2022
That seemingly PC-branded plate failed miserably, so why not just forget about #PlateGate, take the old tried-and-true design and make it a whole lot bigger?
Interestingly, the @OntarioPCParty slogan is emblazoned on a traditional white Ontario licence plate. One of the Tories’ most embarrassing screw ups was the 2019 illegible blue licence plates since abandoned. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/EVDGBLTWzy
— Robert Benzie (@robertbenzie) May 5, 2022
Another was quick to point out that, despite the date being an obvious nod to the upcoming June 2022 election, the massive plate sticker was on the verge of expiration.
About to expire June 2022. #NeverVoteConservative #VoteFordOut2022 pic.twitter.com/ttwXG4lh8G
— RestlessRuralist (@RestlessRuralst) May 5, 2022
It's up to voters to decide whether Ontario is down for another four years of licence plate antics, though there are probably larger issues to be considered when checking the ballot, so take this plate-obsessed rant with a grain of road salt.
Doug Ford
