Ontario Premier Doug Ford is getting in the holiday spirit, and the people of the province have some thoughts on how he’s going about sharing the festive cheer.
On Friday, Ford took to X to post a video of himself constructing a gingerbread house while sharing his favourite holiday traditions, and comparing building gingerbread homes to building modular housing.
“This reminds me of building modular homes here in Ontario, this is how quick it is,” he said, using icing to stick pieces of the gingerbread house together.
“To tell you the truth, the modular homes are probably easier to build than the gingerbread house,” the premier laughed.
“You know folks, modular homes are the most efficient ways to build homes here in Ontario, the most cost-effective way.”
This comes at a time when people in Ontario are facing a major housing crisis. With a lack of affordable housing and social support to help people in the province who are struggling, many are calling on municipalities and the province to do more to combat the issue.
To assist with supply, last month Toronto opened 57 units in Scarborough to help people experiencing homelessness. The Ontario government is providing approximately $2 million in annual operating funding
READ MORE: Toronto opens 50+ modular units designed for those exiting homelessness
And last week, the government reiterated its efforts to build at least 1.5 million homes across the province by 2031. One way it plans to achieve this is with the new attainable housing program that aims to define attainable housing and to inform a modular housing framework to build homes on surplus government lands.
FORD’S GINGERBREAD HOUSE: ONTARIANS REACT
Ford’s video has amassed nearly 200,000 views and counting at the time of publication, with hundreds of comments. Some people feel the video was in poor taste, with the ongoing housing crisis impacting many Ontarians.
“I’m sure Ford’s staffers advised him against doing this,” one person said on X.
“For all the homeless and people struggling this holiday season with food insecurities and financial difficulties this is your best solution… let’s build a gingerbread house… you are so out of touch with the real issues facing Ontarians. Resign!” shared another X user.
“I can’t think of anything more tone-deaf than our premier in the midst of the worst housing crisis ever deciding to make his xmas video about building an edible house.”
“Thanks for doing your part to combat the housing crisis, Doug. I’m sure this Gingerbread House will make a lovely family home for someone,” another person said.
Alternatively, some people enjoyed Ford’s video and festive message and came to the premier’s defense.
“WOW, so many haters with loud vocal fingers….. Come on ppl be nice, it’s Christmas… Doug’s job is not to solve all problems for you, and he can’t fix things overnight,” one person said, “Merry Christmas Doug and to everyone actually doing something to make Ontario better.”
