Ontario’s Message to Ottawa and Washington
In Thunder Bay on July 31, Ontario Premier Doug Ford fired a clear warning — not only for Prime Minister Mark Carney but the entire country:
“Do not roll over. Hit that guy back as hard as we possibly can.”
With U.S. tariffs rising to 35 % on goods including autos, copper, and forestry, and reaching 50 % on steel and aluminum, Ford urged Carney to use every lever: retaliatory tariffs, renewed provincial industry investment, and a hardline “Buy Ontario, build Canada” approach.
He said:
“We can build anything here in Canada… from trains… to satellites and jet engines.” And, referring to American-sourced imports:
“We buy more products off the U.S. than Japan, Korea, China, the UK, and France combined.”
Ford’s statement isn’t empty rhetoric. It is an assertion of Ontario sovereignty in economic policy, and a challenge to both Ottawa and provincial allies: Canada must not appear weak or passive in the face of rising trade pressure.
Why It Matters Now
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These comments mark Ontario’s most public and forceful leadership stance since Ottawa’s diplomatic strategy took hold post-election.
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Ford’s words align with wider provincial anxiety: B.C. and Saskatchewan premiers have voiced support for stronger reciprocal trade responses.
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His message is calibrated for maximum visibility: reported on X (formerly Twitter), CBC- and Global News-documented in real time, and shared widely by provincial media.
Final Word: A Province Boldly in the Spotlight
Ontario’s premier is positioning himself—and the province—as both economic defender and national voice.
Ford’s language signals that Ontario will not quietly absorb external damage. If tariffs slash jobs and growth, the premier is willing to push Ottawa to respond and lead the charge on domestic industrial revival.
Whether Carney listens — or Canada responds — may define Ottawa’s post-election legitimacy. But for now, Ford is making one thing clear:
Ontario will not roll over. It expects Canada to fight — and win.
📍 Ontario Matters is GTA Weekly’s weekly look at provincial politics, policy, and public affairs that affect life in Ontario. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for the latest coverage.
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