As Trudeau's Influence Wanes, Ontario’s Premier Steps Forward to 'Defend Canada'
Doug Ford emphasizes the need to move forward, stating, "Let's stop wasting time," in response to Trump's taunts.
TroibNews 
OTTAWA — With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noticeably absent, the premier of Ontario, Canada's largest province, has stepped into the role of national spokesperson, responding to "51st state" comments and instead promoting a vision of “a new American and Canadian century” to President-elect Donald Trump.
A month ago, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was threatening to cut energy exports to the U.S. due to Trump's tariff proposals. However, on Wednesday, he visited a nuclear power plant to advocate for the idea of "Fortress Am-Can" and emphasized the potential for developing a Canada-U.S. energy infrastructure. Ford urged the need to expand the clean electricity grid, boost nuclear power generation, and create a cross-border working group to accelerate projects.
"Someone had to stand up for Canada," he stated.
Trudeau has been largely out of the public eye since the surprising resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland last month and recently announced plans to resign once a new Liberal Party leader is selected. During this time, Ford has become a familiar figure on U.S. cable news, openly acknowledging his intent to fill the emerging federal political void and establishing himself as a significant counterpoint to Trump. He has acted as a de facto spokesperson for Canada following Trump’s initial tariff threats directed at Canadian imports.
On Wednesday, Ford promoted Ontario’s international significance, saying, “With our fleet of nuclear power plants and the first small modular nuclear reactors in the G7, Ontario is uniquely positioned.” He also highlighted Saskatchewan uranium, noting it is refined in Ontario before being sent to the U.S. “They wouldn’t be able to survive without the uranium for their weapons,” he remarked.
In addition, Ford indicated Canada’s commitment to partnering with the U.S. to tackle economic threats posed by China. “U.S. lawmakers are undertaking one of the most ambitious economic and geopolitical shifts in decades, as America decouples from China and its global proxies. This won’t be easy,” he explained. “It will require dedication, and most of all, it will require friends and allies. Canada is here to help.”
As the head of the federation of Canadian premiers, Ford has successfully pressured Trudeau to convene with the group in Ottawa next week. “The message is: you need to do everything you can to stop the tariffs ... We need to see the plan that you announced on border security,” Ford emphasized. “We’re going to hold his feet to the fire until the day he’s no longer prime minister.”
Ford also called for action in policy areas traditionally managed by Ottawa, particularly regarding Canada’s commitment to NATO, which Trump has criticized for members not meeting the 2% GDP spending target. In a recent press conference, Trump even proposed a 5% target. The Trudeau government has committed to reaching 2% by 2032. "First, we need the federal government to invest in our military, to meet and exceed our NATO funding commitments. Second, the federal government needs to turn words into actions by implementing its border security plan,” he asserted, adding, “This needs to include permanent funding increases for the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, to put more boots at the border. And we need highly visible activity to give our U.S. allies the confidence they need that we’re doing our part."
Just after Christmas, two of Trudeau’s cabinet ministers traveled to Florida to discuss the federal border plan with Trump’s team. In response to Trump’s comments about making Canada a 51st state, Ford dismissed these notions and countered the claim that the U.S. could do without Canadian products, including autos, lumber, and dairy. “Let’s stop wasting time and ridiculous ideas about merging and instead focus on efforts on restoring the pride of Made in Canada, and Made in the U.S.A. Let’s be unapologetic as we stand up for Canadian and American workers against the world. Together, let’s usher in a new American and Canadian century.”
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated on Wednesday that the federal government is focused on managing the economic impacts of Trump’s tariff threats, which influenced his decision not to run for Trudeau’s position. He expressed a willingness to collaborate with premiers, business and union leaders, and other political figures.
Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Marc Miller mocked Trump’s talk of annexation, one day after Trudeau dismissed the idea on X, claiming there was “not a snowball’s chance in hell” of that occurring. “I said a couple of weeks ago this is like an episode of South Park. I’ll start to get worried when they confirm Eric Cartman as the Joint Chief of Staff,” Miller joked. “It’s silly. It’s unbecoming, frankly, of a president, any president,” he added, but acknowledged the need to take the situation seriously.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
A month ago, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was threatening to cut energy exports to the U.S. due to Trump's tariff proposals. However, on Wednesday, he visited a nuclear power plant to advocate for the idea of "Fortress Am-Can" and emphasized the potential for developing a Canada-U.S. energy infrastructure. Ford urged the need to expand the clean electricity grid, boost nuclear power generation, and create a cross-border working group to accelerate projects.
"Someone had to stand up for Canada," he stated.
Trudeau has been largely out of the public eye since the surprising resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland last month and recently announced plans to resign once a new Liberal Party leader is selected. During this time, Ford has become a familiar figure on U.S. cable news, openly acknowledging his intent to fill the emerging federal political void and establishing himself as a significant counterpoint to Trump. He has acted as a de facto spokesperson for Canada following Trump’s initial tariff threats directed at Canadian imports.
On Wednesday, Ford promoted Ontario’s international significance, saying, “With our fleet of nuclear power plants and the first small modular nuclear reactors in the G7, Ontario is uniquely positioned.” He also highlighted Saskatchewan uranium, noting it is refined in Ontario before being sent to the U.S. “They wouldn’t be able to survive without the uranium for their weapons,” he remarked.
In addition, Ford indicated Canada’s commitment to partnering with the U.S. to tackle economic threats posed by China. “U.S. lawmakers are undertaking one of the most ambitious economic and geopolitical shifts in decades, as America decouples from China and its global proxies. This won’t be easy,” he explained. “It will require dedication, and most of all, it will require friends and allies. Canada is here to help.”
As the head of the federation of Canadian premiers, Ford has successfully pressured Trudeau to convene with the group in Ottawa next week. “The message is: you need to do everything you can to stop the tariffs ... We need to see the plan that you announced on border security,” Ford emphasized. “We’re going to hold his feet to the fire until the day he’s no longer prime minister.”
Ford also called for action in policy areas traditionally managed by Ottawa, particularly regarding Canada’s commitment to NATO, which Trump has criticized for members not meeting the 2% GDP spending target. In a recent press conference, Trump even proposed a 5% target. The Trudeau government has committed to reaching 2% by 2032. "First, we need the federal government to invest in our military, to meet and exceed our NATO funding commitments. Second, the federal government needs to turn words into actions by implementing its border security plan,” he asserted, adding, “This needs to include permanent funding increases for the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, to put more boots at the border. And we need highly visible activity to give our U.S. allies the confidence they need that we’re doing our part."
Just after Christmas, two of Trudeau’s cabinet ministers traveled to Florida to discuss the federal border plan with Trump’s team. In response to Trump’s comments about making Canada a 51st state, Ford dismissed these notions and countered the claim that the U.S. could do without Canadian products, including autos, lumber, and dairy. “Let’s stop wasting time and ridiculous ideas about merging and instead focus on efforts on restoring the pride of Made in Canada, and Made in the U.S.A. Let’s be unapologetic as we stand up for Canadian and American workers against the world. Together, let’s usher in a new American and Canadian century.”
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated on Wednesday that the federal government is focused on managing the economic impacts of Trump’s tariff threats, which influenced his decision not to run for Trudeau’s position. He expressed a willingness to collaborate with premiers, business and union leaders, and other political figures.
Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Marc Miller mocked Trump’s talk of annexation, one day after Trudeau dismissed the idea on X, claiming there was “not a snowball’s chance in hell” of that occurring. “I said a couple of weeks ago this is like an episode of South Park. I’ll start to get worried when they confirm Eric Cartman as the Joint Chief of Staff,” Miller joked. “It’s silly. It’s unbecoming, frankly, of a president, any president,” he added, but acknowledged the need to take the situation seriously.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
