Ontario Premier Doug Ford recounts a dramatic pursuit of a shoplifter
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has publicly described a summer incident in which he left his security detail behind and chased after a suspected shoplifter at a Home Depot in Etobicoke. Speaking to a packed room at the Empire Club, Ford recalled how he slipped away from his Ontario Provincial Police protection for the day, drove to a local store, and attempted to retrieve items allegedly taken by a man who fled with a bag.
What Ford says happened
Ford said he was at a Home Depot to buy plants for a Muskoka cottage where Prime Minister Mark Carney planned to stay. He claimed he witnessed a man run out with a bag, followed by store security and the location’s manager. According to the premier, he and his accompanying security detail were told not to chase the suspect, but Ford decided otherwise, telling the audience, “I’m in my car, so I said, ‘Screw this, I’m going after this guy.’”
Ford described a tense scene as he allegedly pursued the suspect, jumping from his vehicle and asking the man what was in the bag. When the man claimed the bag was empty, Ford said, “Buddy, I’m going to kick your ass all over the parking lot, show me what’s in your bag.” He later claimed the bag contained a saw blade believed to have been taken from the store.
Ford’s warning and subsequent reflection
In his retelling, Ford said he became enraged and insisted the individual return the items. He stated that if the man were seen again in the parking lot, he would “get a beating like he’s never got before.” The account has sparked a broader discussion about the appropriateness of chasing shoplifters, especially for a sitting public official with security responsibilities.
Reaction from opposition voices and experts
The incident drew quick reaction from political figures and security experts. Ontario Liberal MPP John Fraser, who formerly managed grocery stores, called the premier’s actions irresponsible. Fraser warned that chasing a suspect could lead to dangerous confrontations and injuries, emphasizing that security teams exist to protect not only public figures but the public at large.
Fraser said, “If somebody shoplifts, and they’ve got a bag and they’re out in the parking lot, you don’t chase after them because you don’t know what they may have.” He also cautioned about the potential for weapons and the unpredictable nature of confrontations in busy lots.
Meanwhile, the NDP offered a tougher critique, labeling Ford’s “tough talk” as hot air. Critics argued that public safety should trump personal bravado and that police and security professionals are trained to handle such situations to minimize risk to bystanders.
<h2 Safety, policy, and the politics of accountability
With Ford’s account now part of a broader conversation, observers are weighing the balance between personal responsibility and the responsibility of individuals in power to model safe, lawful behavior. Security experts have long argued that chasing suspects can escalate danger for both bystanders and law enforcement officers, potentially leading to unintended harm.
As Ontario voters consider their representation, the incident highlights ongoing debates about crime, public safety, and the role of leaders when confronted with criminal activity in public spaces. The conversation raises questions about how much latitude a premier or other public official should exercise when confronted with theft, and what safeguards exist to prevent harm.
Bottom line
Ford’s recollection at the Empire Club offers a window into the immediacy of his response in a moment of perceived danger. Whether one views his actions as a bold stand against crime or a risky overstep depends largely on perspectives about public accountability, the role of security, and the realities of keeping leaders and the public safe in a fast-moving incident.
