'Send ‘em right to sparky': Ontario leader Doug Ford's 'poor-taste' death penalty joke stirs row

Ontario Progressive Conservative (PC) leader Doug Ford has come under fire after reportedly joking about bringing back the death penalty during a campaign speech at a London, Ontario, police gala, reports CBC News.
According to a report by The Toronto Star, Ford made the remark while discussing crime and home invasions at the London Police Service’s gala on January 29. In a recording obtained by the newspaper, Ford was heard saying, “I don’t even go 25 years. I send ‘em right to sparky and then we’ll take everything from there.” Canada abolished capital punishment in 1976.
The comment was met with “sparse clapping and audible gasps” from the audience, The Star reported.
Following the backlash, a spokesperson for the PC Party issued a statement clarifying Ford’s position.
“The premier made a poor-taste joke out of frustration for the many people affected by violent criminals out on our streets because of the federal government’s broken bail system and soft-on-crime policies,” spokesperson Grace Lee said.
“The premier does not support capital punishment but rather firmly believes more needs to be done to keep violent and repeat offenders behind bars where they belong.”
Ford has consistently called on Ottawa to amend the Criminal Code to tighten bail rules, arguing that the current system allows dangerous offenders to remain on the streets.
Ford’s remarks quickly became a flashpoint in the Ontario election campaign. Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie condemned the comments, calling them “beyond disturbing.”
“We’re halfway through this self-serving election, and instead of talking about health care, Doug Ford is pushing for the death penalty. Just like Trump. Once again, he’s showing us who he really is,” Crombie posted on social media.
The outrage comes as Ford’s PCs maintain a strong lead in the election race. A recent Nanos survey commissioned by CTV News shows the PCs with 45.5% support among decided voters, followed by the Liberals at 29.5%, the NDP at 16.9%, and the Green Party at 6.5%.