Doug Ford welcomed in eastern Ontario during 1st campaign rallies

Supporters rushed to meet Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford as he got off his bus next to a caf in Carp Wednesday afternoon on his first stop in Ontario's official campaign period.

He was greeted in the rural west Ottawa community by people taking selfies, shaking hands and a womanwho thanked him for restoring her faith in politics.

MikaLakhani, 18, came fromKanata with his two-day-old copy of the book Ford wrote with his brother, the late former mayor of Toronto Rob Ford.

Lakhani said he will be voting for the first time and plans to support Ford and the PCs.

"From a policy standpoint, I really like some of his ideas in regards to getting rid of provincial [income] tax on minimum wage workers," Lakhani said.

"I think that populism is just a general trend. I care more about the policies and a lot of the ideas he's pushing."

Health care questions

Ford did face questions from reportersabout the Ontario PC candidate in Kanata-Carleton,MerrileeFullerton, who is running in the riding including Carp.

Liberal candidate John Fraser said hundreds of Fullerton's tweets suggest she supports two-tier health care.

Fullerton, who is a doctor, told reporters she supports universal healthcare and Ford stood by his candidate.

"This whole community has a great deal of respect for Merrillee. We appreciate her running," Fordsaid.

"She's going to be an incredible candidate, she served under the public healthcare and continues to serve under that."

Ford said the PCs would put $1.9 billion into mental health and addiction services and add thousands of long-term care beds in the province.

Renfrewrally attracts 100s

Later in the day, hundreds of people packed the Renfrew Armouries to hear Ford speak.

Ford focused on the pay of the CEO of HydroOne, pledging to scrap the sex-ed curriculum and fighting the federal government's carbon tax plan.

"Nothing's more frustrating [than] every time you stick your hand in your pocket, you have Kathleen Wynne's hand in one pocket and you have Justin Trudeau's hand in the other pocket," Ford said to an uproar from the audience.

Elizabeth Burke said she trusted Ford's experience and the political experience he gained in Toronto city hall while his brother was mayor and he was a councillor.

"I think he stands up for what the people want, not necessarily what the whole world wants, and I think he's got a background to make wise choices with our money," Burke said.

Ron Grosklegsaid Ford was offering the only genuine change, especially when it came to government spending.

"Ontario is in a hole right now and going towarda bigger hole, and their [Liberal and NDP]attitude is, well, let's keep digging," Groskleg said.

"Whereas Doug Ford's plan is to stop digging, get out, take a look at what's going on in the province and find solutions."