The leader of Canada’s most populous province Ontario said on Friday that he would hold elections next week as he needs a mandate to fight the threat of US President Donald Trump’s tariff.
Conservative Premier Doug Ford said that he would conduct an early election on Wednesday. As Prime Minister, he is equivalent to the Governor of the American state.
Ford said, “We need a mandate from people to fight against Donald Trump’s tariff.”
Ford said that Ontario may lose more than 500,000 jobs if Trump implemented 25% tariff threats.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that American consumers will have to pay more if Trump decides to implement wide tariffs on Canadian products.
Trudeau said that if Trump proceeds, “Whether he comes back on January 20, as a gift of Valentine’s Day on 1 February or 15 February, or on April 1 or whenever,” Canada will answer with a counter -tariff, ” And “for prices” American consumers will grow on almost everything. ”
Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa, “We don’t think he wants so.”
Trump told reporters at the Oval office on Thursday that he is still planning to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico from 1 February. Trump had threatened to put a wide new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he took over. But tariffs were not implemented on the first day.
Ford has said that US goods entering Canada will have a dollar-by-dollar tariff vengeance. He has also said that as soon as Trump will implement the tariff, he will instruct Ontario’s liquor control board to remove all American -made liquor from shelves.
Ford said that if the tariff is applicable, their government will spend billions of dollars to support the economy. Ontario is the manufacturing and automobile center of Canada.
“We will do business of tens of billion dollars. It is no different from the epidemic. We will secure livelihood, ”Ford said. “I will do whatever I have to do to protect the people of Ontario. We are the engines of Ontario protecting all Canadians. We will not back down. ”
He will send Ontarian people for voting on 27 February, more than one year before the fixed election date of June 2026, the election call. Ford already has a large majority government.
He said, “We need the biggest mandate in the history of Ontario.”
Opposition parties have accused Ford of conducting any possible allegations before the police investigation of its ended plan to develop land under environmental protection.
Nelson Vicemen, Professor Professor of Political Sciences at the University of Toronto, said that a few years after receiving a big mandate, Ford is in danger of being accused of improper election.
“This is a silly strategy. Vijman said, “On the trump tariff issue, people look at the federal government, not the provinces in the upcoming business challenges.”