Taking aim at record spending of $111.9 million on government ads last year, critics say Premier Doug Ford is more interested in polishing his image than in helping Ontarians.

“The premier used to be a fierce opponent of the government gravy train. Remember that?” New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles said Wednesday in the wake of a watchdog’s report that found many of the ads were partisan at taxpayer expense.

“Now he’s conducting it. Toot toot! All aboard!”

Auditor general Shelley Spence reviewed government advertising, raising questions about the record spending in the last fiscal year, which included the campaign for the Feb. 27 election that returned Ford’s Progressive Conservatives to power with a rare third majority.

The $111.9 million was an increase of $8.4 million from the prev

See Full Page