QP Briefing asked its readers to narrow the list of effective municipal leaders down to a chosen few, deliberating on which mayors have been most influential within their communities, and which had the biggest impact on public safety.

The premier said he will spend the coming months travelling to jurisdictions including Washington, Utah, South Carolina and Alberta while attending premiers’ meetings and promoting Ontario to investors.

Here are Ontario’s most influential government staffers according to QP Briefing’s 2026 Survey

In a statement to Queen’s Park Briefing, the office of Solicitor General Michael Kerzner criticized Ottawa’s buyback effort, saying it misdirects policing resources and failes to address the real drivers of gun violence.

Having already revealed the ministers wielding the most influence inside the Ford government, we now look across the aisle at the opposition critics ranked as most effective at challenging that power, as well as rising stars in the legislature.

The move comes as governments across Canada face mounting pressure to strengthen domestic military production in face of geopolitical instability, NATO spending demands and growing concerns about supply-chain security. Barrie is betting municipalities will play a growing role in where that investment lands.

Among his proposals is a tax cut targeted at adults under 27, which he says would help young people struggling to establish themselves amid rising rents, high home prices and stagnant wage growth.