While Premier Doug Ford insists that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threat is why he's calling an election 15 months ahead of schedule, there are plenty of reasons why the timing is politically advantageous to Ford and his Ontario PC Party.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has officially set a provincial election in motion for Feb. 27, more than a year before the next fixed election date. The election had been set for June 2026, but Ford confirmed last week he would trigger the vote, saying he needs a new mandate to deal with four years of a Donald Trump presidency in the United States.

The writ has dropped, and Ontario has officially entered its 44th election cycle. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie are all hitting the campaign trail Wednesday.