WASHINGTON, D.C. — Premier Doug Ford delivered the message that Ontario is open for business to key U.S. political and business leaders at the National Governors Association’s (NGA) Winter Meeting.
“I’m here in Washington for the people of Ontario,” said Ford. “We’re making Ontario open for business because that means good jobs for people at home. Working with our American partners on shared priorities — from reducing trade barriers to creating and protecting well-paying jobs — is key to making life better for people on both sides of the border.”
Over three days, Ford had great discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Knight Craft, Ambassador of Canada to the U.S. David MacNaughton, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. Ford also spoke with 30 U.S. business leaders about shared priorities, including the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), removing trade barriers, and how to work together to drive economic growth and prosperity.
In Washington as part of a contingent of Canada’s Premiers, Ford also connected with Premier Scott Moe of Saskatchewan and Premier Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick to advance mutual interests around scrapping the job-killing carbon tax, removing internal trade barriers between Canadian jurisdictions and reducing regulatory gridlock.
“We are making Ontario one of the best places in the world to invest, create jobs and grow a business,” said Ford. “U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are damaging the manufacturing sector on both sides of the border and undercutting our competitiveness. This week we’ve taken huge steps towards building strong partnerships with our American counterparts. We will continue working with our allied premiers and governors to boost trade and investment and grow our economies.”
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