NEW: It was a “bare-bones operation.” In an exclusive interview, Natasha Doyle-Merrick explains why she withdrew her nomination in Eglinton—Lawrence, while sources walk us through what went down behind the scenes. 🔒 for paid subscribers only.

NEW: This GTA riding is shaping up to be a nail-biter.

Premier Doug Ford with the clearest indication yet that he’s gearing up for an early election call: “If it comes to it and we have to spend tens of billions of dollars [on Trump’s expected tariffs], we go to the people. Let the people decide, it’s their money.”

Abu Rayash’s team had “some conversations” with the party about “what it was willing to do.” The party — not the Premier’s Office, a source with direct knowledge of the situation explained, “considered condemning” MacLeod. “There was an appetite to call it out...”

NEW: Bonnie Crombie is bracing for a potential talent drain as some organizers set sight on the race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, while it’s become clear to Doug Ford’s caucus, sources say, that an election call is likely imminent. www.policorner.ca/p/everyones-...

Joined Greg Brady on AM640’s Think Tank panel yesterday to chat about Lisa MacLeod, homelessness shelters and whether Doug Ford is about to call an early provincial election. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...

NEW: An NDP government would build the Grimsby GO station to "expand service" across the region, leader Marit Stiles says at a campaign-style announcement in Niagara. “Transit infrastructure hasn’t kept up with [the] growth,” Stiles says.

NEW: Tom Allison — chair of Bonnie Crombie’s provincial campaign — is expected to run Chrystia Freeland’s upcoming federal Liberal leadership campaign, policorner.ca has learned. Allison was replaced as Crombie’s campaign director in June. Background here: www.policorner.ca/p/scoop-meet...

PSA: Don’t send a press release about non-urgent matters an hour before the Prime Minister of Canada is set to quit.

NEW: The NDP says it’s about readying for an early election — but privately, some say the decision to postpone the upcoming policy convention will help Marit Stiles dodge a discontented base and a brewing policy clash over nuclear energy and Sarah Jama. www.policorner.ca/p/scoop-a-po...

NEW: Ontario’s NDP has “postponed” their January convention amid a possible provincial and federal election early next year, policorner.ca has learned. “The staff time required to plan a convention is massive,” a source says. “Those resources are better spent election planning.”

NEW: Chrystia Freeland says her decision to quit Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet is “not the end of the road,” amid speculation she’s readying a Liberal leadership bid. That’s according to an email — obtained by policorner.ca — she sent to some local campaign organizers earlier today.

NEW: A police chief is facing heat over a surprise cameo at a lucrative Progressive Conservative fundraiser in Brampton. www.policorner.ca/p/scoop-did-...

BREAKING: The Ford government is extending the legislature’s winter recess — with the House set to adjourn until Mon. March 3, two weeks later than scheduled.

Posted this to the other app earlier so posting it here. I couldn’t sleep last night. The feeling as the news broke was quite indescribable.

Last night was something. The only Syria I have ever known has been one of war, tyranny and fear. I never imagined we would live to see the day when Assad’s regime — one that has killed families, destroyed cities and forced millions into exile — would finally fall.

BREAKING: Phil Verster is out as CEO of Metrolinx, with Infrastructure Ontario’s Michael Lindsay set to take over on an interim basis.

BREAKING: Mississauga mayor Carolyn Parrish has resigned from the Peel Police Service Board, policorner.ca has learned. "The budget is humongous and I am not allowed to speak against it nor say I was the only one to vote against it," Parrish says. "I have to defend a budget I cannot defend."

A statement issued by Prime Minister Trudeau’s national security advisor at 9:49 p.m. on a Thursday night. Nathalie Drouin says the RCMP’s decision to publicly accuse the Indian government of serious criminal activity in October was an “extraordinary step.” www.canada.ca/en/privy-cou...

In other Peel news: Parrish, as policorner.ca reported earlier this month, says the Ford government isn't expected to make a decision on how the regional split will look until January. Mississauga's mayor said the suspense is "disconcerting." www.policorner.ca/p/a-top-econ...

NEW: Mississauga is requesting the Ford government cover the operating costs for the Hazel McCallion LRT “for at least the first three years” of operation — in the same way that similar costs for transit projects in Toronto and Ottawa are being covered. Here’s a letter to Premier Ford:

NEW: Former Toronto mayor David Miller will become a “special advisor” to NDP leader Marit Stiles on developing “a New Deal for municipalities.” Miller will hold municipal consultations, conduct a review of province’s relationship with cities and later, make direct recommendations to Stiles.

New app, but same Queen’s Park nerd, I guess.