Ontario, election campaign dominated by tariffs but there is space for schools and healthcare
TORONTO – The “tariff war” between USA and Canada, so far only announced and in fact not yet started, inevitably continues to dominate the electoral campaign in Ontario even after the news that the potential US tariffs are suspended for thirty days for further negotiations.
Also today, the candidates addressed that topic, starting with premier Doug Ford who, yesterday, shortly before the announcement of the suspension of the new tariffs, had announced that Ontario would tear up the agreement from 100 million dollars with Elon Musk’s “Starlink”: a sort of indirect “punishment” to Musk’s friend, President Trump. However, Trump’s about-face on tariffs forced Ford to take a step back as well. “We have temporarily avoided tariffs that would have seriously damaged our economy, giving time for further negotiations and time for clarity to prevail. With the suspension of tariffs by the United States – said Ford – Ontario will also suspend its retaliatory measures. If President Trump proceeds with tariffs, we will not hesitate to remove American products from the shelves of the LCBO or ban American companies from provincial procurement” he continued. Ford has therefore clarified that the 100 million dollar agreement with Elon Musk’s “Starlink”, signed at the end of last year for the strengthening of the internet in some areas of Ontario, will continue, so far. And then he added that Canada and the United States should remain focused on the “real trade war we’re fighting, with China…”.
Still on tariffs (and on Ford), there was also room for some controversy: a video of the moments following the speech of the conservative leader of Ontario in Monday’s press conference, shows the premier himself making an observation “with the microphones off” (but in reality they were on…) on the president of the United States. “But yeah” he tells a group, “Election day, was I happy this guy won? One hundred per cent. But then the guy pulled out the knife and f**king yanked it into us” …the oppositions obviously attacked Ford, accusing him of not having a clear position in defense of Ontario.
And, speaking of opposition, today the leader of the Greens, Mike Schreiner, while welcoming the news of the suspension of tariffs with satisfaction, attacked the outgoing premier, accusing him of having made Ontario, in seven years of government, worse and more vulnerable. And he recalled the attempt “to pave over our farms and green spaces for the benefit of billionaire land speculators. We are still discovering new details about the deals that Ford staff were making behind the scenes. Ford must tell the truth…” he said Schreiner who was in Muskoka today.
NDP leader Marit Stiles, who was in Ottawa, instead focused attention on Ontario schools: “They represent – she said – opportunities, they build communities, they connect us with one another. Generations of Ontarians have found their calling and their community through our world class publicly funded schools. But seven long years of Doug Ford and his cuts have left us with overcrowded classrooms, crumbling schools, and less support for our children. In the next few weeks, we have the power to change things, and we have the power to set our kids up for a strong, resilient future. Ontario’s New Democrats have a plan to fix schools, hire staff, feed kids, and make sure every single student has the tools they need to succeed. We can deliver stronger schools and a better future for our kids with a government that’s on your side. When we invest in our kids’ schools, we strengthen our communities, province, and our economy for generations to come. That’s why, as Premier I will fix and rebuild our schools, hire more caring adults to help kids learn, and launch a universal School Food Program to make sure no child has to learn on an empty stomach. After seven years of a Premier who puts himself first and our kids last, it’s time to turn the page” concluded Marit Stiles.
For Bonnie Crombie, leader of the Liberals, today was a day of interviews and meetings in which she reiterated some of the concepts she had also expressed yesterday in a post on X / Twitter. “Doug Ford – she wrote – will try to make this election about anything but his own failures. I think it’s important for the people of Ontario to remember one thing… your premier is in charge of your healthcare. It is their job to ensure it is working for you. Doug promised seven years ago to end hallway health care in Ontario. He didn’t get it done. He has failed on his most basic mandate. What makes you think he will stand up to Trump, protect your job, or keep our economy safe? As Premier, I will get the basics right: get you a family doctor; lower the cost of housing; stand up to Trump’s tariffs; and cut taxes to make your life more affordable. But the single most important promise I can make you, is that I will never stop fighting to do more for you”.
Ontarians will go to the polls to elect their premier on February 27th. The main candidates are the outgoing Conservative premier Doug Ford, the Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie, the NDP leader Marit Stiles and the leader of the Greens, Mike Schreiner.
In the pic above: NDP leader Marit Stiles in Ottawa today (photo from Twitter X – @MaritStiles)