OTTAWA — Premier Doug Ford used his address to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference Monday to deliver a bold, wide-ranging speech aimed at rallying local leaders to respond to external threats and internal challenges with a renewed sense of unity, urgency, and economic nationalism.
Speaking to mayors, councillors, and municipal officials from across Ontario, Ford opened with a clear message about the state of the world: “President Trump’s tariffs are taking direct aim at our country, our province, and our people.”
But the Premier didn’t just focus on trade threats from abroad. He used the platform to unveil fresh commitments to infrastructure, housing, and economic development — and to signal his desire for tighter municipal-provincial coordination.
$1.6 Billion Boost for Housing Infrastructure
The most immediate announcement was a significant top-up to the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, increasing the province’s investment by $1.6 billion, bringing the total to $4 billion. These funds are aimed at supporting hundreds of thousands of new homes across Ontario.
“We’ve already supported the construction of 800,000 new homes,” Ford said. “Now we’re going even further.”
The announcement reinforces Ontario’s stated goal to build 1.5 million homes by 2031 — a target that many municipalities are struggling to meet.
Made-in-Ontario Procurement Push
Ford emphasized his government’s intent to buy Ontario- and Canadian-made products — from steel to subway cars — urging municipalities to do the same.
“Ontario municipalities spend tens of billions of dollars every year on procurement… that money should be going back into our communities,” he said, pointing to the $2.3 billion procurement of new subway cars for Toronto’s Line 2, which will be manufactured in Thunder Bay.
Mayor Olivia Chow was personally thanked for her leadership on this file.
Call to Axe HST on All New Homes
In one of the speech’s most politically resonant moments, Ford revealed that he raised the issue of HST relief for all homebuyers in a conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier that day.
“We want to work together to remove the HST for all homebuyers,” he said, adding, “Let’s be even more ambitious… so we can lower the cost of building.”
Tariffs, Trump & Standing on Our Own
Returning to the core theme of resilience, Ford made repeated references to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, warning that Ontario must be ready to protect its economy regardless of who sits in the White House.
“Canada is not for sale… and Canada will never be the 51st state,” Ford declared to sustained applause.
He also highlighted nearly $30 billion in relief and support for businesses hit by tariffs, including the new $1 billion Protect Ontario Financing Program.
Public Sector Returns, Strong Mayors Applauded
The Premier doubled down on his government’s decision to return Ontario Public Service workers to the office five days a week, praising Mayor Patrick Brown for implementing the same policy in Brampton.
Ford said this move is essential to revitalizing Ontario’s downtowns and bringing public servants “closer to the people they serve.”
The Takeaway: A Province Poised for the Storm
While Ford’s speech was at times combative — especially toward President Trump’s policies — it was ultimately framed as a rallying cry for unity.
“We are more united, and more determined to stand up for Canada, than at any time in my life,” Ford said.
As municipal officials returned home from the AMO conference, they did so with a clear message from Queen’s Park: it’s time to build, time to buy local, and time to prepare Ontario for whatever comes next.
📍 Ontario Matters is GTA Weekly’s weekly political digest covering policy shifts, economic updates, and key decisions coming out of Queen’s Park. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for the latest. #OntarioMatters #GTAToday
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