Doug Ford made 'poor-taste joke' about supporting death penalty, PCs say

Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford reportedly joked about bringing back the death penalty during a campaign speech at a London, Ont., police chief gala in late January.

The Toronto Star first reported the news Thursday, saying in a recording of Ford's speech it had obtained that the politician talked about empowering judges to "send 'em right to sparky." Canada abolished the death penalty decades ago.

A spokesperson for the PC Party shared a statement Thursday evening clarifying the remarks, after the story was published.

"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," the spokesperson 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," she said.

"God forbid they kill an innocent person," Ford said at the gala, according to the Star report. "I don't even go 25 years. I send 'em right to sparky and then we'll take everything from there."

According to the Star, there was "sparse clapping and audible gasps" from the audience.

Liberals post clip showing Ford's comments 

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said Ford's comments were "beyond disturbing" in a social media post Thursday. 

"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," she wrote. 

"Once again, he's showing us who he really is," she added.

Crombie's campaign re-posted a clip showing Ford making those comments on X. 

"Does this sound like someone who was joking?" the Liberal account wrote in the caption. 

NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Ford's comments were "ridiculous and very concerning" in an emailed statement Friday. 

"This is not the first time that he said one thing behind closed doors and another thing when he gets caught," she said.

Following the first debate between Ontario's major party leaders, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said Ford's comments were "cruel" and show he is "not the kind of premier that's going to build the caring, fair Ontario that I believe the people of this province want."

Ontario is scheduled to go to the polls Feb. 27.