In an unexpected move, Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday that he intends to call for an early election. He believes this is necessary to secure a mandate for addressing the potential impact of tariffs proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Ford, who leads the Progressive Conservative Party, made it clear that he would reveal the specifics of this plan on Wednesday, proposing to have Ontarians head to the polls on February 27, well ahead of the scheduled election in June 2026. Despite already holding a significant majority, Ford is pushing for this election.
“We need a mandate from the people to effectively contest Donald Trump’s tariffs,” Ford stated, outlining the stakes for the province. He warned that if Trump proceeds with his 25% tariff threats, Ontario could face the loss of over 500,000 jobs, a significant concern for the provincial economy.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his commitment to imposing tariffs at a rate of 25% on Canada and Mexico, with a potential start date of February 1. Although he has previously signaled intentions for extensive tariffs on multiple countries, including Canada, these measures had not been enacted at the time he took office.
To counteract the tariffs, Ford indicated that Ontario would retaliate with equivalent tariffs on American imports. Additionally, he mentioned that he would direct the provincial liquor control board to remove all American products from their shelves should the tariffs be implemented. In anticipation of negative impacts on the economy, Ford pledged that his government would allocate billions towards economic support, emphasizing that Ontario serves as a vital center for manufacturing and automobile production in Canada.
“We are prepared to spend tens of billions. This situation is akin to handling a pandemic. Our focus will be on securing jobs and livelihoods,” Ford asserted. He emphasized the need for “the largest mandate in Ontario’s history” to combat the anticipated economic challenges.
On the other hand, Trump made a controversial comment, suggesting that Canada could avoid the tariffs by becoming the 51st state of the United States. He inaccurately claimed that the U.S. faces a $200 billion trade deficit with Canada and went on to promise tax cuts and enhanced health coverage for Canadians should they join the U.S.
In remarks made in North Carolina, Trump expressed his belief in the positivity of tariffs, stating, “The tariffs are going to make our country rich. We’re going to be a very rich, rich country very soon. The word tariffs is one of the most beautiful words in the dictionary.”
Opposition parties have criticized Ford’s decision to seek an early election, suggesting that it might be an attempt to distract from a police investigation related to his previously abandoned plan to develop environmentally protected lands. Political commentator Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, noted that this action could be perceived as unnecessary given Ford’s recent electoral success.
Wiseman cautioned that Ford could face backlash for calling an early election given the political climate surrounding issues such as the Trump tariffs, arguing, “It is a foolish strategy. People typically look to the federal government for leadership on tariff-related matters, not the provinces, during trade disputes.”