Ontario Premier Calls for Early Election to Secure Mandate Against Trump’s Tariff Threats
TORONTO (AP) — Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Friday that he would call an early provincial election in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s looming threat of tariffs on Canadian goods. Ford, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, stated that he plans to send Ontarians to the polls on February 27, 2025, more than a year ahead of the scheduled June 2026 election.
Ford, who already leads a majority government, explained that he felt the need for a mandate to confront Trump's proposed 25% tariffs, which he warned could cost Ontario up to 500,000 jobs if implemented. Trump reiterated on Thursday that he plans to impose these tariffs starting February 1, despite previous delays in carrying out similar threats.
“We need a mandate from the people to fight against Donald Trump’s tariffs,” Ford said during a press conference.
The Ontario Premier, equivalent to a state governor in the U.S., emphasized the severe economic impact such tariffs could have, particularly on Ontario's manufacturing and automotive sectors. Ford has vowed to retaliate dollar-for-dollar with tariffs on U.S. goods and to remove all American-made alcohol from store shelves in response.
"We will spend billions to protect our economy," Ford stated, drawing parallels to the pandemic-era economic support. “I will do whatever it takes to protect the people of Ontario.”
The Premier also expressed his desire for “the largest mandate in Ontario’s history” to bolster his efforts against the tariffs.
Meanwhile, President Trump suggested in a press conference that Canada could avoid the tariffs if it agreed to become the 51st state, making a series of claims about U.S.-Canada trade that were inaccurate, including a $200 billion trade deficit with Canada. Trump touted the potential benefits for Canadians, such as tax cuts and improved healthcare, if they joined the U.S.
“The tariffs are going to make our country rich. We’re going to be a very rich, rich country very soon,” Trump declared, calling tariffs “one of the most beautiful words in the dictionary.”
Ford's decision to call an early election has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who argue that it may be politically motivated, given an ongoing police investigation into Ford’s previous plans to develop land protected by environmental regulations.
Political experts also cautioned that Ford may be overreaching. Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, suggested the timing could backfire, pointing out that the federal government, not provincial leaders, should be leading the charge on trade-related matters.
“It is a foolish strategy,” Wiseman said. “People look to the federal government on the Trump tariff issue, not to the provinces in the coming trade challenges.”