Doug Ford dresses up like Santa to grant wishes in Christmas video
It’s still two days until Christmas but Premier Doug Ford is already getting into the spirit.
In a video posted on social media on Monday morning, Ford is seen dressed up in a bright red Santa suit performing a personalized rendition of the famous 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas."
The video begins with the iconic "Twas the night before Christmas…" but then veers from the usual script to focus on Ford’s hopes for the coming year.
"Our province stood tall, with visions of progress uniting us all," Ford says in the video. " As we look ahead to another New Year, here’s what we’re working on to bring you good cheer.”
The two-minute video features a number of Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers writing letters to Santa and dropping them off in a mail slot outside Ford’s office.
Ford is then seen reading the letters beside a lit up Christmas tree, all while dressed up as Santa Claus.
“Dear Santa, Ontarians are stuck in traffic, losing time each day with crowded roads and endless jams, it shouldn’t be this way” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Singh says in the video. “So, this year, I’m wishing big. Let gridlock disappear and bring joy to everyone this coming new year.”
Next, Energy Minister Stephen Lecce wishes for expansion of nuclear power generation and "more electrification far and near."
"Ontario's bright with nuclear power that's clean, with more power plants soon to be seen," Lecce rhymes.
Economic Development Minister Victor Fedeli, Labour Minister David Paccini and Health Minister Sylvia Jones are all seen making similar Christmas wishes. Their wishes include jobs and investments, electric vehicle manufacturing, skilled trade and expanding healthcare.
Meanwhile, Ford, as Santa, is seen ticking it off his list of wishes to grant.
Ford has made a tradition out of releasing a pre-Christmas video since first being elected. Last year he released a video in which he assembled a gingerbread house in a symbolic nod to his desire to ramp up the construction of housing in the province. The year before that it was Christmas cookies.
The end of the video shows Ford, as Santa, thanking the people of Ontario for their trust and support, and promising to build a strong future together.
He ends it by saying "Merry Christmas to all with the new year in sight. Merry Christmas, Ontario, and to all a good night.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. president-elect's son shares post on X of Donald Trump buying Canada on Amazon
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada.
Economists say more room to fall as Canadian dollar continues downward trend
Experts say the next few months are going to be rough for the Canadian dollar as it appears set to continue its downward trend.
Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
Revised airline compensation rules will do little to change status quo: experts
Proposed changes to Canada's passenger rights charter will perpetuate loopholes that allow airlines to forego compensating travellers whose flights are disrupted, say airline experts.
5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
Parties agree on the need to act on online harms, but time is running out for new law
Justice Minister Arif Virani is unapologetic about the money it would take to set up new regulators to tackle online harms under his proposed legislation.
Bill Clinton hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington after developing a fever.
Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal
First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office.
King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers
King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names.