The opposition says it will be ready for an early election call.

Speculation arose last week with the Ford government’s announcement to expand beer and wine sales two years earlier than planned.

The Premier repeatedly sidestepped questions about it leading to an early election, including refusing to confirm the date of the next election, which is scheduled for June 2026.

NDP leader Marit Stiles says if an election is called, it would be to evade accountability or responsibility amidst an RCMP criminal investigation into the Greenbelt scandal

Stile says she has been telling her team to be ready for an election at any time.

“Our election planning committee is already struck. That’s earlier than I think we’ve ever done it. Our core campaign team will be assigned soon. We are in the process of reviewing our nomination guidelines,” says Stiles.

“We want to be more ready than we’ve ever been before because we intend to defeat this government in 2026 and replace them with an NDP government.”

Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie says her party will also be election-ready.

But she does not see any reason for the Premier to call a snap election.

“I think it would be very disrespectful to the taxpayers. They have a majority government. I can’t envision a reason why they would want to call an early election. It’s very disrespectful, is very anti-democratic,” says Crombie.

Crombie wishes the Ford government’s urgency over beer and wine sales was the same for education, healthcare and affordable housing.