On the offensive? Ontario party leaders take campaigns into opposition territory [Video]

As the second day of Ontario’s snap election campaign got underway, party leaders struck out into fresh territory looking to woo voters in areas they didn’t win in 2022 and flip ridings before election day.

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford started the campaign deep in the traditionally NDP-held territory of western Ontario, campaigning in Windsor at the U.S. border on the first day of the election, before moving to London.

The PC leader is bringing a promise of blue-collar job protection to ridings in London that have most recently sent NDP representatives to Queen’s Park. Amid the threat of tariffs from the U.S. on Canadian exports, Ford is pitching his party as the area’s best option.

On Thursday, the party unveiled a promise to spend an additional $1 billion on skills and development if re-elected, along with $38 million for action centres in areas hit by layoffs if the U.S. levels tariffs.

“We’re very confident that that …