Ontario’s political parties have been preparing for months for the possibility of an early election, but next week’s snap election call has pushed planning to a fever pitch. Premier Doug Ford has announced that he will meet with the lieutenant-governor on Tuesday to trigger an election campaign beginning Wednesday,

Ontario’s premier is calling an early election, saying his government needs a fresh mandate to help Canada’s fight against potential tariffs from US President Donald Trump.

TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford plans to call a snap election next Wednesday and send Ontarians to the polls on Feb. 27, The Canadian Press has learned. Two senior government sources say Ford recently made the decision for the rare winter election after waffling for months.