Populism, more than offering real policy promises, often revolves around a narrative of “elites” versus the real people that the populist leader now represents. Doug Ford has deeply embedded this narratives in his successful campaign for the leader of the Ontario PC party.
Frustration with the previous governing party is a very common aspect of many, many election campaigns but there has been a very specific idea that Doug Ford has emphasized in his election campaign: The Liberals as a group of out-of-touch and dangerous ideologues that have ruined Ontario with their focus on selectively beneficial policies and progressive pandering. More specifically, he has criticized their new sex ed guidelines and in general has presented himself as much more socially conservative than his opponents both within and outside of the party.
While populism, again, does not have to be a negative thing Ontario residents seriously need to rethink possibly electing an unqualified, volatile populist premier.
McQuigge, Michelle. (2018, March 11). “5 Things to Know about New Ontario PC Party Leader Doug Ford”. Global News Toronto. https://globalnews.ca/news/4075791/ontario-pc-party-leader-doug-ford/.
Bet You Couldn't See This Coming 
I have seen some news articles that make links between Doug Ford and Donald Trump. I would be inclined to agree with these kinds of comparisons. I think that this shows that the same discontent is brewing in Canada as in the United States. There is clearly a group of people that feel they are not being listened to. I think that the election of such populist leaders is problematic, but it speaks to a deeper discontent and disconnection within society that all parties should be paying attention to.
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