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Ontario Premier Doug Ford has given a hint of an early election if his government should spend billions to offset the impact of potential incoming American tariffs.
CBC News reports that the comments mark the premier’s strongest indication yet that he may be planning to call an election before the fixed date in 2026.
While speaking to reporters at the Royal Ontario Museum Monday, he fuelled the speculation of an early election call that has swirled through the halls of Queen’s Park since fall.
President-elect Donald Trump of the United States has promised 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, a crushing economic blow that Ford has warned will hit Ontarians the hardest.
The premier said, “I think, if it comes to it and we have to spend tens of billions of dollars, we go to the people, let the people decide. It’s their money, it’s not the government’s.”
However, opposition leaders are against Ford calling for an early election.
Leader of the Official Opposition NDP Marit Stiles said, “I don’t think Doug Ford needs to go to the polls to get that (support). He’s fooling the people of Ontario if he’s telling you that. He knows he has a majority government.”
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said, “He wants to abandon his duty as premier while facing the biggest battle our province has seen in a very long time. Donald Trump and his tariffs should be treated as a threat, not as an excuse for an illegitimate early elections.”
