Doug Ford seeks fresh mandate, warns Trump's proposed tariffs risk 500,000 jobs in the province
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called an early provincial election, stating his government needs a fresh mandate to address potential tariffs from US President Donald Trump, as reported by BNN Bloomberg.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ford announced that Ontario residents will head to the polls in late February.
This decision follows a major political shift at the federal level, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned on January 6 after disagreements with his finance minister over how to address Trump’s return to power in Washington.
Ford has taken an aggressive stance on trade issues, urging Canada to retaliate if Trump imposes tariffs.
“You can’t let someone hit you over the head with a sledgehammer without hitting them back twice as hard, in my opinion,” Ford stated earlier this month.
He has proposed measures, including curbing energy exports to the US and accused Mexico of being “a backdoor” for Chinese goods.
Ford emphasized the need for public support, stating, “We need a mandate from the people to fight against Donald Trump’s tariffs. He’s coming against our businesses and communities, and with a strong mandate, we will be able to fight with Donald Trump to make sure we stop the tariffs.”
Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods have created uncertainty for Ontario, which produces about 40 percent of Canada’s economic output.
The province is home to 16 million people and is a hub for Canada’s financial and manufacturing sectors. Its automotive industry, in particular, is tightly linked to US states like Michigan and Kentucky.
To address these challenges, Ford has introduced plans to strengthen security near the Canada-US border and expand Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain, aligning with Trump’s policy goals of greater security and energy independence.
Over the past two months, Ford has appeared on US television networks and engaged with American officials to promote the mutual benefits of trade.
In December, Ford stated, “The only people that win is China on a disagreement between Canada and the US.”
Since 2018, Ford’s Progressive Conservative Party has held a majority in Ontario’s provincial legislature. Although the next election was originally scheduled for mid-2026, Ford seeks to capitalize on his party’s polling advantage.
Opposition leaders have criticized the early election call. Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie accused Ford of using fears of Trump and a trade war for political gain.
“The premier has spent the 76 days since Trump was re-elected preparing for an unnecessary early election rather than coming up with a plan to help you and your family,” Crombie said in a statement earlier this week.
Crombie, who served as Mississauga’s mayor until 2023, also worked for Walt Disney Co., McDonald’s Corp., and the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Ford says 500,000 jobs may be at risk from Trump's tariff threats.
— Marit Stiles (@MaritStiles) January 14, 2025
So why is he worried about only one job—his own? Doug Ford needs to put the good of the province ahead of his own political interests and shelve his early election plans.
Ontario's New Democrats are ready to… https://t.co/A3G4dQQlYs
New Democratic Party leader Marit Stiles also criticized Ford’s decision. Referring to the estimated employment risks of a trade war, she stated, “The premier needs to focus on the 500,000 jobs at risk, not his own.”
This election could set the stage for multiple trips to the polls, as a federal election is expected soon after Parliament resumes at the end of March.
