Remarks by Premier Doug Ford at his annual summer bash, Ford Fest, were drowned out Friday evening by an eruption of booing, blowing whistles and chanting from protesters making plain their grievances over a host of issues.
People dressed in purple OPSEU shirts, bearing the slogan “Worth Fighting For” which was also their chant, were peppered among a sea of Ford Nation supporters in the half-hour leading up to the premier’s appearance that the master of ceremonies kept referring to as “the big event” throughout the evening at Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough.
At least four chartered buses dropped union protesters off near Thomson Memorial Park ahead of Ford Fest.
📸 Jun 19, 2026#Toronto #ProtestMania pic.twitter.com/6O4iwPrk0P
— Caryma Sa’d – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) June 19, 2026
Union protesters turn their backs on Premier Doug Ford during his speech at Ford Fest.
The crowd chants “Worth Fighting For,” an OPSEU campaign to increase pay for frontline social services workers.
📸 Jun 19, 2026#Toronto #ProtestMania pic.twitter.com/bunRHYzcSo
— Caryma Sa’d – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) June 20, 2026
I’m not a big fan of Ford but the Star would have you believe the anti-Ford protest was some sort of organic spontaneous event – “Premier Doug Ford drowned out by chanting, booing protesters at annual Ford Fest” when really it’s just public service unions agitating for their usual cash grab at tax payer expense.
