OTTAWA — Tax reform and competitiveness took centre stage Monday, as Ontario Premier Doug Ford met Prime Minister Mark Carney while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre returned to Parliament after a by-election win. Instead of the usual partisan clash, both Ford and Poilievre struck cooperative tones, signalling a moment where Canada’s leaders may be converging on real solutions to affordability and growth.
Ford’s Message: Windsor to Ottawa — “We Are Taxed to Death”
At a press conference in Windsor on August 12, Ford previewed his pitch to the Prime Minister:
“Just a few things we can do can really change things. Number one, we’re taxed to death. It’s as simple as that. You know, the highest tax bracket is 54%. Believe me, you don’t have to be making millions to be at 54%. You make a couple hundred grand and you’re at 54%. Then when you go out shopping, all the goods that you buy, you’re left with nothing in your pocket. Economics 101, put money back in people’s pockets and they’re going to go and spend it.” — Doug Ford, Windsor press conference, Aug. 12, 2025
Ford on U.S. Competition: “Let’s Beat Trump at His Own Game”
Ford sharpened his argument by pointing to corporate tax competitiveness:
“You reduce the tax. When I had a facility, when I opened up in ’98 and ’99 in the U.S. and Chicago going into 2000. The Canadian corporate tax was lower than the U.S. So let’s beat Trump at his own game. Let’s make this the most competitive place in the whole world because companies nowadays have choices. You’re either going to go to a competitive place with great smart people or they are going somewhere else, and they are going to get lower taxes. We need to create that environment for companies to invest.” — Doug Ford, Windsor press conference, Aug. 12, 2025
He added bluntly:
“That’s how we’re going to beat Trump, making sure we’re more competitive than they are.” — Doug Ford, Windsor press conference, Aug. 12, 2025
Ford on Housing: A Two-Year Window to Spur Builds
Ford also made clear that HST relief on homes should be immediate and time-limited:
“And number two, let’s get rid of the HST. I will follow that on anyone who buys a home, not just new home buyers, but anyone. But let’s do it to a point of two years, so it puts pressure on the market. If you do it and say, we’re getting rid of it for 10 years, everyone’s going to la-di-da, la-di-da. Let’s lower it. That’s massive amounts of savings for people when you’re buying a home for $600,000, $700,000, $900,000, even a million. That saves a lot of money.” — Doug Ford, Windsor press conference, Aug. 12, 2025
Ford pledged that if Ottawa cuts the federal portion of the HST, Ontario would match it provincially.
Poilievre’s Victory Speech: A Bipartisan Capital Gains Bill
On August 18, after reclaiming his seat in Parliament, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre shifted tone as well. Instead of partisan attack lines, he pledged cooperation on his signature investment policy:
“I will work with any party on a bipartisan bill to eliminate capital gains taxes when those funds are reinvested in Canada.” — Pierre Poilievre, by-election victory speech, Aug. 18, 2025
The measure builds on his Canada First Reinvestment Tax Cut, first unveiled in North York earlier this year, and would allow profits from asset sales to be reinvested into Canadian businesses, housing, or innovation tax-free.
Three Leaders, One Shared Opportunity
What’s striking isn’t division, but convergence:
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Ford wants a two-year HST holiday on new homes and lower corporate taxes.
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Poilievre is offering a bipartisan reinvestment plan to unlock domestic capital.
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Carney is pursuing structural reforms through the One Canadian Economy Act and doubling the pace of homebuilding.
Individually, each idea has merit. Together, they could transform Canada’s housing market and investment landscape.
What It Means for the GTA
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Homebuyers: Ford’s HST cut could save $60,000–$90,000 on a typical GTA new home.
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Builders: A two-year tax-free window could finally trigger stalled projects in Peel, York, and Durham.
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Investors: Poilievre’s proposal could channel billions into Toronto’s tech corridor and housing ventures.
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Businesses: Corporate tax competitiveness would help attract headquarters and keep manufacturing strong.
Conclusion: Beyond Partisanship
For once, Canada’s political leaders are circling around complementary solutions. Ford is praising Carney as “doing a good job.” Poilievre is openly inviting the Liberals to “steal his idea,” and Carney has already shown he’s willing to move fast on structural reforms.
If Canada embraces all three approaches, the country could quietly outcompete Trump’s America — not through bluster, but by becoming the most attractive place in North America to build, invest, and grow.
For GTA residents, the impact would be immediate: cheaper homes, stronger jobs, and investment dollars staying local. In a turbulent world, Canada’s leaders may have stumbled onto something rare — common ground.
📘 Canada Watch is GTA Weekly’s national affairs editorial series, decoding how big federal decisions impact locals in the GTA. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for more.
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