Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Pal of automotive.

Elevate your hand for those who ever thought these phrases can be written and ring true.

It was solely 4 years in the past that former Unifor President Jerry Dias exclaimed, “You already know, Doug, f— you!” throughout a televised speech wherein the fiery union boss was wound up about Basic Motors’ choice to wind down manufacturing at Oshawa Meeting, and Ford’s response that “the ship has already left the dock.”

It wasn’t way back Ford was being pilloried for pulling the plug on the province’s electric-vehicle rebate. However my how the tables have turned. Dias — earlier than he retired within the midst of a scandal — later joined the Premier’s Council on U.S. Commerce and Trade Competitiveness. Unusual bedfellows, certainly.

After which in March, Ford started handing automakers cash as if he owed it to them. First, $131.6 million to again Honda’s $1.4-billion retooling of its Ontario factories.

Then, an undisclosed quantity — possible $500 million — to Stellantis and LG Power Answer, which collectively will construct a $5-billion EV battery manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ont. An NDP and Liberal stronghold, by the way in which.

Ford adopted that with a $259-million contribution to GM so it could actually retool crops, add a shift and improve R&D in Ontario.

Oh, and did I point out that in 2020 he pledged $250 million to assist Ford Motor Co. retool its Oakville Meeting Plant to construct EVs?

In accordance with my abacas, that’s $1.14 billion — with a “B” — in authorities cash, and numerous jobs.

However Ford didn’t cease there this spring. No, sir.

He launched the Digital Dealership Registration (DDR) program, which permits 7,000 newand used-vehicle sellers to situation automobile registrations and licence plates on to prospects. That’s anticipated to scale back the executive burden and save prices and time.

The Trillium Vehicle Sellers Affiliation (TADA), which represents greater than 1,000 franchised new-vehicle dealerships, known as this system “crucial coverage announcement made by the Ontario authorities in a era.”

It’s one thing I known as on the Liberals to enact on this very area … 5 years in the past.

And Ford nonetheless wasn’t carried out as of March. The province is spending $91 million to assist make EV chargers extra accessible to the general public throughout the province, from relaxation stops to carpool heaps, parks and hockey rinks.

Ontario can even introduce the Rural Connectivity Fund to offer funding to assist the set up of EV chargers in rural municipalities.

Forgive me if I missed something, however perhaps that’s a great factor. I solely have about 450 phrases of area, in any case.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Pal of automotive.