The responses of Ontario’s primary political parties to tariffs

vesnaVariety Vibes

One week into the four-week election campaign in Ontario, the primary concern remains the threat of tariffs on Canadian exports posed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

As the incumbent premier, Doug Ford, leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, has effectively initiated a series of provincial government responses to these tariffs, enhancing his re-election chances in a manner not accessible to his opponents.

Within a 24-hour period, Ford took decisive actions, including the withdrawal of U.S. liquor from the LCBO, the cancellation of a $92-million contract with Elon Musk’s SpaceX for satellite internet service to 15,000 rural homes, and the prohibition of U.S. companies from participating in provincial government procurement processes.

However, Ford suspended all these actions on Monday afternoon after Trump announced a 30-day delay on the tariffs.

These initiatives, coupled with numerous appearances on U.S. television networks, have provided Ford with significant visibility that benefits the Progressive Conservative campaign, according to Christopher Cochrane, an associate professor of political science at the University of Toronto Scarborough.

“It is evident to any impartial observer that calling the election amid the tariff threat was a strategic political maneuver intended to advantage his party,” Cochrane remarked in an interview.

The attention of the media and the citizens of Ontario during the election is unlikely to center on the accomplishments or shortcomings of Doug Ford’s administration over the past few years. Instead, the primary focus will evidently be on Trump and the tariffs, as noted by Cochrane.

In an effort to challenge Ford, the leaders of the Ontario NDP and Ontario Liberal Party presented their own campaign commitments on Monday, outlining their strategies for addressing tariffs if they were to assume office.

NDP pledges to create a ‘tariff-proof’ Ontario
NDP Leader Marit Stiles selected the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa as the site for her announcement.

“Good jobs should not merely be a part of our past; they must be integral to Ontario’s future,” Stiles stated to those in attendance.

The NDP’s strategy to tackle tariffs focuses on safeguarding employment through two primary approaches: providing immediate financial assistance to industries vulnerable to trade fluctuations, such as the automotive sector, and seeking new markets for Ontario-produced goods in the long run.

“As premier, I will protect every single job in this province,” Stiles asserted. “We will respond decisively as part of a united Team Canada, and we will work diligently to establish a tariff-proof Ontario for the future.”

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie announced her strategy for addressing tariffs at the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

The focal point of the Liberal initiative is the establishment of the Fight Tariffs Fund, which aims to provide businesses with loans at interest rates that are lower than prevailing market rates.

Crombie emphasized to the attendees that this fund would alleviate the financial burden on businesses seeking to borrow funds.

The Progressive Conservatives, led by Ford, have made campaign promises that include significant financial commitments, particularly in relation to tariffs. Among these promises is a notable initiative aimed at assisting Ontario businesses by deferring $10 billion in provincial taxes for a period of six months, thereby enhancing their cash flow.

Dobbs stated in an interview that the NDP plan primarily emphasizes the rights of workers and employees, along with a strategy aimed at long-term structural resilience. In contrast, he noted that the Liberal Party adopts a more balanced approach, integrating economic support with broader social policy reforms.

He further remarked that the corporate tax deferral suggested by the PCs, along with the small business tax reduction proposed by the Liberals, would be especially beneficial for businesses that are functioning with narrow profit margins.