Ontario party leaders spar over housing in first election debate [Video]

A composite image made from four file photographs show, from left to right, Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie in Toronto, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025; Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leader Doug Ford in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025; Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles in Sudbury, Ont., Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025; and Ontario Green Leader Mike Schreiner in Toronto, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young, AP-Ben Curtis, Gino Donato

The leaders of Ontario’s New Democratic, Liberal and Green parties went on the offensive Thursday against Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford’s record on housing in the first debate of the provincial election campaign.

The topic has been little discussed in the first half of the snap campaign, but the three party leaders saw an opportunity during the debate held specifically to discuss northern issues to press Ford on not meeting his own targets to build housing across the province.

“Where are …