Ford hints at possible early Ontario election in order to counter potential Trump tariffs

We already know there will be a federal election this year but there are further hints that voters may also be going to the polls in Ontario.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford laid the groundwork for a possible election call Thursday squarely at the feet of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and his threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

Speaking before the Mississauga Board of Trade on Thursday, Ford says if the tariff threat comes to fruition he will need to spend money in order to stimulate the economy – money he says he doesn’t have a mandate from the people of Ontario to spend.

“God forbid, you know, the tariffs continue for a long period of time, it’s no different than the pandemic. We may have to put tens of billions of dollars into the economy to keep people moving, keep people afloat,” explained Ford.

Ford has warned as many as 500,000 Ontarians could lose their jobs depending on how the tariffs are imposed.

“To be very frank, I do not have the mandate to spend tens of billions of dollars right now.”

When asked if he would be looking for that mandate, Ford answered, “We’ll see what happens on January 20 or 21st,” alluding to inauguration day in the U.S.

Ford’s comments come one day after donning a ‘Canada Is Not For Sale’ hat while in Ottawa for a meeting with other premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie hit back at Ford’s comments, saying an election doesn’t need to happen.

“These are the issues that people are facing – encampments, lack of a family doctor, unaffordable rents, houses that are unattainable. And what does he want to do? Cling to power. He hasn’t earned his job in Ontario. Now, he needs to focus on the issues at hand,” she said.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles suggested her party would be willing to support a stimulus package if need be without having to go to the polls.

“It’s the worst timing possible at a moment when we should be actually ensuring stability, the premier is talking about an election where we’re going to divide each other instead of coming together to fight Mr. Trump. I think it’s really bad idea.”

While the legislature is not set to resume sitting until March 3, Ford could elect to bring MPPs back between now and then in order to call an election. In the meantime, the premier is set to visit Washington for meetings on February 12.