Election News
Ontario Premier Doug Ford Triggers Snap Election
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called an early election, saying he needs a clear mandate to address Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs. Ford, who has led the province for over seven years, believes voters must back him with another majority to counter the economic threat.
“This is going to be a fight for the next four years,” Ford said as he pushed for support ahead of the election, now happening over a year earlier than required by law.
Trump has suggested imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, potentially starting as soon as Saturday. These tariffs could have a major impact on Ontario, Canada’s largest province by economy, which contributes 38% to the country’s GDP and has a strong automotive sector closely tied to the U.S.
Earlier this month, Ford appeared at a press event wearing a baseball cap that read “Canada Is Not for Sale.” The slogan came from his comment on Fox News defending Canada’s position in the ongoing trade dispute.
According to the BBC, the cap quickly went viral, selling $20,000 worth of stock in less than two hours.
Ford’s bold stance has earned him the nickname “Captain Canada” from some commentators, but his decision to call an early election has drawn criticism. Detractors argue it’s an unnecessary financial burden during economic uncertainty. Critics have also pointed to controversies surrounding Ford’s government, including an active criminal investigation into selling protected land for real estate development.
University of Ottawa law professor and media analyst Errol Mendes says Trump’s policies reshape Canadian politics, forcing leaders like Ford to adapt. This extends beyond provincial politics, with federal figures like Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney outlining their strategies for handling Trump’s tariffs in the race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who typically focuses on domestic issues, has been pressured to share his approach to the trade challenges.
Mendes says the Trump administration has disrupted Canadian political strategies at all levels. For Ford, this situation offers a chance to position himself as a national figure amid the uncertainty in Ottawa following Trudeau’s resignation.
Ford has even suggested retaliatory measures, such as cutting off energy exports to the U.S. and banning American-made alcohol from provincial liquor stores. At the same time, he has floated the concept of a stronger Canada-U.S. energy alliance under the banner “Fortress Am-Can.”
According to Mendes, Ford’s response to Trump’s tariffs has also brought him significant attention in the U.S., more than any other Canadian leader. Ford plans to lead Canadian premiers to Washington, D.C., for two meetings with lawmakers next month. At home, however, his government still faces scrutiny over its handling of land deals.
Mendes believes the premier’s election strategy is securing a large majority to withstand future challenges, including potential fallout from U.S. tariffs. Ford claimed that blanket tariffs could cost Ontario up to 500,000 jobs, risking the province’s economy.
Despite the controversies, Ford remains popular in Ontario. He has twice won majority governments, and polls suggest he may secure another. Known for his straightforward, relatable style, Ford has maintained a strong connection with working-class voters, similar to Trump’s approach.
“You can’t let someone hit you with a sledgehammer without hitting back twice as hard,” Ford said earlier this month, emphasizing his readiness to fight for Canada. Mendes believes Ford’s ability to communicate effectively with voters has positioned him as a key figure in provincial and national politics.
