The Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, has called for early elections in Canada's most populous province, arguing that his government needs a new mandate to face potential tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump's threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods has raised concerns in Ontario, which accounts for about 40 percent of Canada's economic output.
Ford has been advocating for measures to bolster security in Ontario, near the U.S. border, and to develop a critical minerals supply chain, in an attempt to appeal to Trump's stated political goals of increased security and energy. In addition, he has been promoting the benefits of trade in U.S. media and in discussions with officials from that country.
The decision to call for elections has been criticized by his political opponents, who accuse him of using the fear of Trump and a potential trade war for political gain. One of Ford's main opponents, Bonnie Crombie of the Ontario Liberal Party, has questioned the necessity of early elections and urged a focus on developing a plan to address the current situation.
On the other hand, Marit Stiles, the leader of the New Democratic Party and another rival of Ford, has emphasized the importance of protecting at-risk jobs amid the threat of a trade war. Ford, for his part, has expressed the need for a mandate from the people to be able to fight against the tariffs proposed by Trump, stating that it is essential to protect Canada's interests in this context of international trade tensions.
