Province and country entering period of unprecedented economic uncertainty and lengthy negotiations
Windsor, January 29, 2025 — Today, Doug Ford asked the people for a strong mandate to protect Ontario, its workers, businesses and communities from the unprecedented economic uncertainty caused by the threat of President Trump’s tariffs.
“President Trump is promising steep and sweeping tariffs that will devastate our economy and put hundreds of thousands of people out of work,” said Doug Ford. “Whether he imposes tariffs next week, next month or waits a year, President Trump’s threats are not going away. With a strong mandate from the people, I will do whatever it takes to protect Ontario.”
When implemented, U.S. tariffs on Canada would put 450,000 jobs at risk, including in manufacturing, construction, service sectors and retail. Economic uncertainty is already having a chilling effect as global companies rethink investments into the province’s economy. With President Trump making numerous threats against Ontario and Canada’s economy and sovereignty, the province is entering a period of unprecedented economic risk and lengthy negotiations – against President Trump and with the federal government and other provinces.
Responding to this challenge will demand extraordinary action, including the need to invest tens of billions of dollars in unplanned spending and tough choices about making Ontario’s economy the most competitive place to invest, create jobs and do business. To protect Ontario, including during the fast-approaching renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Doug Ford needs a strong, four-year mandate from the people that outlives and outlasts the Trump administration.
“We’ll continue to make the case that we’re so much stronger together,” added Ford. “We’ll also be ready to do whatever is necessary to stand up for and protect Ontario, our workers, businesses and communities. Make no mistake: Ontario won’t start a fight with the U.S., but we’ll be ready to win one.”
Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor, offered his full support and endorsement of Ford and encouraged Windsor-area voters to send local Ontario PC candidates to Queen’s Park.
“Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government have provided unwavering support, continuous investment and steadfast commitment to Windsor-Essex. Through significant investments in key infrastructure projects, community safety and quality of life initiatives, this government has had and will have our back,” said Mayor Dilkens. “I am pleased to support and endorse Premier Ford. He’ll need a strong team around the table, with the needs of the Windsor-Essex Region top of mind. I ask Windsorites to get out and vote to send local Ontario PC candidates to Queen’s Park to safeguard the bright future we’re building as one of the most important communities to watch in Ontario and Canada.”
Doug Ford has a plan to protect Ontario:
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Building Ontario’s economy by investing more than $200 billion in our plan to build roads, highways, transit and other infrastructure projects while investing over $1.5 billion to train 600,000 people for better jobs and bigger paycheques in the skilled trades.
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Protecting workers in the face of President Trump’s tariffs by doing whatever is necessary to protect people’s livelihoods, including by investing tens of billions of dollars to keep people working.
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Keeping us competitive by fighting the job-killing Liberal carbon tax and urging the federal government to cut red tape and streamline approvals to get big things built.
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Cleaning up our streets by protecting families and children by banning drug injection sites near schools and daycares and clearing out encampments from public parks with new investments in shelters.
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Delivering better care, including by investing over $1 billion more to connect everyone in Ontario to a family doctor and primary care.
