Doug Ford’s government spent $40 million on ads promoting Ontario to Ontarians, a campaign its opponents have slammed as being too partisan – especially in the lead-up to the provincial election.

CBC News obtained the latest price tag for the “It’s Happening Here” campaign through a freedom of information (FOI) request. The ads focused on government accomplishments like “building new roads and highways” and aired in choice spots, like during the Super Bowl and Oscars.

The FOI request reveals government shelled out $32,049,732.62 of taxpayer money for the ads from February to November 2024. That’s on top of the $8 million initial spent between April 2023 to January 31, 2024, which CBC News also uncovered through an FOI.