Web of Connections — who profits when Ford decides

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Scandal

Ontario's Secret Advertising Machine: $452 Million in Partisan Spending

The Ford government has spent $452 million in taxpayer-funded advertising since 2018 — repeatedly refusing to disclose campaign costs until forced by FOI — while the Auditor General found 38% of spending was designed to promote the governing party, and the firm behind the most controversial ad is run by Doug Ford's campaign manager's brother-in-law.

Connections (17)

  • Dennis Matthews
  • Lauren McDonald
  • Doug Ford
  • Kory Teneycke
  • Todd McCarthy
  • Peter Bethlenfalvy
  • Charlie Pinkerton
  • Tina Yazdani
  • Stephen Lecce
  • Marit Stiles
  • Creative Currency — $4.8M from PC party since 2022; ~$2.2M in taxpayer funds 2022-25
  • Pattison Outdoor Advertising — $370,000+ (billboards)
  • Google Canada — $1.1M+ (Ontario Place ad campaign)
  • GroupM Canada — $545,000 (media buying)
  • Publicis Canada Inc. — $3.6M creative work (2025-26)
  • Meta Platforms — Part of $12.08M Ring of Fire ad campaign, 2025-26
  • Cineplex — Part of $12.08M Ring of Fire ad campaign, 2025-26
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