A wave of coordinated demonstrations known as the “Fight Ford” rallies is set to arrive in Durham Region this weekend as part of a massive province-wide protest. Organizers have identified over 50 communities where citizens will gather on Saturday, April 25, 2026, to voice their opposition to a growing list of provincial policies. In Durham, major rallies are scheduled in Pickering, Whitby, and Bowmanville, targeting the constituency offices of Progressive Conservative MPPs. Demonstrators are expected to focus on a wide range of issues, from the underfunding of public healthcare and the closure of safe injection sites to controversial changes in student financial aid and the removal of automated speed cameras in school zones.
The “Fight Ford” protests across Ontario are a follow-up to a similar round of rallies held in March, which saw thousands of people gather at Queen’s Park and in dozens of satellite locations. This time, local organizers in Durham are expecting a significant turnout as frustration mounts over the government’s recent decision to lean more heavily on student loans rather than grants for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The protests also take aim at the Premier’s use of government resources, such as the recently reversed $29-million private jet purchase, and ongoing concerns regarding the protection of freedom-of-information records and the “Greenbelt scandal.“
In Durham Region, the specific rally times and locations for April 25 include:
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Pickering: 11:00 a.m. at 1550 Kingston Rd. (Office of MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy)
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Whitby: 12:00 p.m. at 3000 Garden St. (Office of MPP Lorne Coe)
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Bowmanville: 2:00 p.m. at 23 King St. W. (Office of MPP Todd McCarthy)
Beyond education and transit, the demonstrations will highlight the escalating healthcare crisis. Protesters argue that the current government is “gutting” public sectors to favor private interests, citing the approximately 2.5 million Ontarians without a family doctor and the frequent temporary closures of emergency departments. The “Fight Ford” website also lists grievances related to the 2018 removal of rent control on new builds, which advocates say has directly contributed to the current housing affordability crisis. Organizers emphasize that these rallies are intended to be a peaceful yet firm message to the Premier that “he is not on the people’s side.”
The movement has gained momentum through social media groups like “Fighting Ford (protest Doug),” where members share information and talking points. While the Premier has previously defended his policies as necessary for economic sustainability, the diverse range of issues—from bird conservation and environmental protection to municipal amalgamation in other regions—has united various advocacy groups under a single banner. For residents in Durham, Saturday’s rallies represent a critical opportunity to join a larger provincial dialogue about the future of Ontario’s public services and democratic accountability.
As the province braces for the weekend’s events, local police services in Pickering, Whitby, and Bowmanville are expected to monitor the gatherings to ensure public safety and manage traffic around the designated protest sites. Organizers encourage those attending to bring water, wear comfortable clothing, and use their voices to “stand up for those who cannot.” With more than 40 other cities participating across Ontario, April 25 is poised to be one of the largest displays of political dissent in the province’s recent history.
