Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives were instructed not to help the provincial party during its recent election campaign, as he explained the source of tension between the two parties that dogged the federal race.

Fractures between the federal Tories and Mr. Ford’s Progressive Conservatives spilled out into public view during the federal campaign, with Mr. Ford and one of his top advisers criticizing the Conservative party’s electoral strategy. In turn, re-elected Conservative MP Jamil Javani – a one-time adviser to Mr. Ford – lashed out at the Premier on election night, accusing him of sabotaging the campaign and of being a “hype man” for the federal Liberals. Mr. Jivani on Wednesday posted a doctored photo on social-media platform X of Mr. Ford dressed as wrestler, ripping off an Ontario PC shirt to reveal a Liberal one underneath.

Mr. Ford, speaking outside the Peel region police headquarters at an announcement focused on strengthening the bail regime, told reporters Wednesday he felt he shouldn’t interfere in the federal election. But he said the federal party was instructed not to help him in the February provincial contest, in which his government won a third majority.

“Last time I checked, Pierre Poilievre never came out in our election. Matter of fact, him or one of his lieutenants told every one of his members, ‘Don’t you dare go out and help the PCs.’ Isn’t that ironic?” he said.

“The people spoke, and I have no say in who people vote for, but I’ll tell you one thing, we have a government democratically elected. I will hold them accountable. I’ll hold them accountable like I would no matter if it’s a Conservative government or a Liberal government. My interest is protecting the people of Ontario.”

The Conservative Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

During the campaign, Mr. Ford defended his own conservative credentials, saying he was born with a “C” stamped on his forehead. He also said he had a blue Conservative sign on his lawn but has shown he’ll work with anyone.

He didn’t hold back in defending Kory Teneycke, his campaign manager, who said during the campaign the federal party was committing “campaign malpractice” by blowing a 25-point lead and that Mr. Poilievre should have pivoted earlier to focus on the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs. “Sometimes the truth hurts,” Mr. Ford said at the time. He also revealed that Mr. Poilievre did not reach out to him until March, two-and-a-half years after becoming federal Conservative leader.

Mr. Poilievre’s relationship with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is also strained.

The Globe and Mail reported earlier this month that after Mr. Houston distanced himself from Mr. Poilievre during that province’s provincial campaign last fall, the Conservative Leader’s then-chief adviser, Jenni Byrne, sent multiple text messages to Mr. Houston’s office, complaining that the Premier had insulted Mr. Poilievre and warning that Ms. Byrne would not forget the transgression. The Globe report was based three sources who were involved in Mr. Houston’s re-election campaign, who were not authorized to disclose the contents of the private communications.

Ms. Byrne – who also served as Mr. Ford’s principal secretary during his first year in office – was Mr. Poilievre’s campaign manager.

Asked Wednesday how the federal party can begin to build bridges within the conservative movement, Mr. Ford said: “Well, all they have to do is make a phone call.”

“I like a lot of the MPs, but the people spoke, and they spoke loud and clear,” Mr. Ford said.

“They spoke loud and clear in our election. And they spoke loud and clear on the federal election. And so, that’s democracy. They elect who they want.”