Ontario Premier Doug Ford won reelection on Thursday, securing a majority mandate to fight US President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on Canadian imports. The Conservative Party of Ontario won 82 seats, surpassing the required 63-seat majority for a stable government.
Ford, who called the early election, campaigned on protecting Ontario’s manufacturing and automotive industries from the potential economic fallout of Trump’s tariffs. He made two trips to Washington, DC, to address US lawmakers and business leaders about the issue.
Trudeau Congratulates Ford on His Victory
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Ford on his win, saying that “at this crucial time” Canada needs to work together to defend its interests, protect workers, and grow its economy.
Ford has promised to spend tens of billions of dollars to safeguard jobs and Ontario’s economy. He also hinted at the possibility of charging Americans more for Ontario-generated electricity exports.
Opposition Parties Criticize Early Election
Some critics argue that Ford called the election too early, potentially before any potential charges emerge from a police investigation into his scrapped environmental protection plan. They also question the cost-effectiveness of the election, suggesting it could have been better spent on healthcare and affordable housing.
Election Results
Unofficial results show the Progressive Conservatives winning 82 seats, followed by the NDP with 25, the Liberals with 14, the Greens with two, and one independent seat won. The New Democratic Party leader, Marit Stiles, congratulated the people for re-electing Ford’s government, saying they want protection against Trump’s tariffs.
Ford’s Mandate to Fight Tariffs
The Ontario premier vowed to work with any party or level of government to combat Trump’s tariff threats. He emphasized that Canada will never be the 51st US state and will not be forced into submission.
With a population of over 16 million, Ontario is Canada’s most populous province, accounting for nearly 40% of the country’s GDP. The election result marks a significant turning point in Ford’s third term as premier, with the stakes now set on how he will protect Ontario’s economy and interests from Trump’s trade threats.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/ontario-canada-election-doug-ford-d81f6b94cfbd3ad038362432cd8c3c53