Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday September 26, 2024
‘Get off your a-s-s,’ Doug Ford—Lead, Don’t Blame
September 7, 2024
Premier Doug Ford’s recent comments telling homeless individuals to “get off your ass and start working” have sparked widespread outrage, and rightly so. While the Premier’s tough rhetoric might resonate with some who see homelessness as a matter of personal failure, his words ignore the complex reality facing those struggling with homelessness, addiction, and poverty in Ontario.
Yes, there may be a small minority of people who could work their way out of homelessness if given the chance. But reducing the entire crisis to individual responsibility is not only an oversimplification, it’s a failure of leadership. Ford was elected to lead—to solve problems, not to scold those who have been left behind. His comments aren’t just misplaced, they’re a distraction from the real issues at hand.
Homelessness is not a simple problem. Many people living on the streets struggle with mental illness, addiction, or trauma. Others are trapped in a cycle of poverty where even low-wage jobs don’t provide enough to cover rent in a province where housing costs have skyrocketed. Simply telling people to “get off their asses” and work ignores these deeply embedded social issues.
News: ‘Get off your a-s-s:’ Doug Ford scolded for telling homeless people to get jobs
August 9, 2018
If the Premier wants to be the champion of “the little guy,” as he so often claims, he needs to take responsibility for addressing the structural issues that contribute to homelessness and poverty. The tools to create meaningful change are at his disposal, and his failure to use them constructively is leaving far too many people behind.
First and foremost, Ford needs to acknowledge that Ontario is in the midst of a housing crisis. It’s becoming impossible for even middle-income earners to afford a home, let alone those who are living paycheque to paycheque or without stable employment. Housing affordability is a key issue, and yet, instead of proposing meaningful solutions, Ford resorts to victim-blaming.
Rather than telling people to find a job, Ford should focus on building affordable housing and reforming rent controls to ensure that housing is within reach for everyone. Housing is not a luxury, it’s a basic human need. Instead of dismissing this fact, Ford could champion policies that make it possible for low-income Ontarians to live with dignity. Expanding affordable housing isn’t just a policy choice—it’s a moral imperative.
January 12, 2019
The Premier’s comments also fail to account for the complex relationship between homelessness, mental illness, and addiction. Many people living in encampments struggle with these issues, making it nearly impossible for them to secure and maintain employment without proper support. Telling them to “get a job” is not just callous, it’s ignorant of the realities they face every day.
Instead of deriding “safe supply” programs or framing addiction as a personal failure, Ford could expand mental health and addiction services across the province. Comprehensive treatment centres, integrated with housing and job support services, could make a real difference. Ford has made some moves toward creating treatment hubs, but these efforts need serious funding and expansion to have a lasting impact. Homelessness, mental health, and addiction are intertwined issues that require holistic solutions, not finger-pointing.
Ford’s claim that people just need to apply for jobs and everything will get better also misses the mark. It ignores the systemic barriers that many homeless people face when trying to enter the workforce. Without a stable address, reliable transportation, or access to hygiene facilities, even the most qualified individuals can struggle to find and maintain employment. For those battling addiction or mental illness, the challenges are even greater.
May 21, 2022
Ford could introduce job training programs specifically tailored to help homeless individuals reintegrate into the workforce. Providing support in the form of resume-building workshops, interview preparation, and access to basic necessities would be a far more constructive approach. Telling people to “work harder” doesn’t solve the problem—it just shifts the blame onto those who are already struggling.
Even for those lucky enough to have a job, work doesn’t always provide a path out of poverty anymore. Wages in Ontario have not kept up with the cost of living, and many low-income workers are one emergency away from losing their homes. Ford could focus on strengthening labour protections, ensuring a living wage, and advocating for job security measures that allow workers to plan for the future.
It’s also essential to acknowledge that economic insecurity is a growing problem, especially for young people entering the job market. A commenter responding to Ford’s remarks raised the issue of youth unemployment, noting that many are struggling to find stable work, even as they compete for low-wage jobs. Ford could use his platform to address this, instead of simply blaming individuals for not working hard enough.
May 12, 2023
Doug Ford was elected to lead Ontario, to be the voice of “the little guy,” and to address the issues that matter most to everyday people. But leadership is about more than just rhetoric—it’s about action. Telling people to “get off their asses” doesn’t fix the housing crisis, it doesn’t solve addiction, and it doesn’t create jobs. It’s a distraction from the hard work that needs to be done.
If Ford wants to be remembered as a leader who truly stood up for Ontarians, he needs to stop blaming the victims of these complex crises and start offering real solutions. That means investing in affordable housing, expanding mental health and addiction services, and providing meaningful job supports. Ford has the tools to create lasting change—it’s time for him to use them.
Ultimately, if anyone needs to get off their ass right now, it’s Doug Ford. His comments show a troubling disconnect from the realities faced by Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens. But instead of offering solutions, he resorts to the politics of blame and division.
Ford has the mandate to make a difference. Instead of scolding those who are struggling, he should be using his position to help lift them up. Leadership is about empathy, understanding, and action—not shaming those who are already down. It’s time for Doug Ford to get off his ass and start leading.
