As president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration into the White House approaches, he’s doubling down on threats to introduce tariffs on Canadian goods and services, and continues to comment on making Canada the “51st state”.
But as the comments continue to flow from Canada’s southern neighbour, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced plans to strengthen Fortress Am-Can with energy security and economic growth on both sides of the border.
Speaking at a press conference in Darlington, Ont. on Wednesday, Ford said the proposed 25 per cent tariffs “would be devastating for both of our economies. They disrupt deeply integrated supply chains, create massive uncertainty for investors, raise costs for businesses, and puts risk on both sides of the border.”
“It doesn't have to be this way. We can achieve so much more if we work together.”
Through Fortress Am-Can, Ontario will support America in creating jobs and distancing its economy from China, Ford said, including by enhancing and building out the integrated Am-Can energy and electricity grid to encourage more exports of Canadian energy and electricity to the U.S.
“Fortress Am-Can should be powered by Am-Can energy of every type that’s produced, consumed and creates jobs in every region of both countries,” said Ford. “With our fleet of nuclear power plants and the first small modular nuclear reactors in the G7, Ontario is uniquely positioned to power the future of Fortress Am-Can.”
Ontario is also procuring new energy resources and building thousands of kilometres of new transmission lines. Ford explained. These measures will boost economic growth, including data centers and artificial intelligence while creating jobs across both Canada and the United States.
“It won't be easy and it won't happen overnight, but we owe it to workers in Ontario, across Canada and the U.S. to act now,” said Ford.
He also called on the federal government to “do their part” when it comes to energy, trade and security policies.
“Together, 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.’,” he said. “Let's be unapologetic as we stand up for Canadian and American workers against the world. Let's usher in a new American and Canadian century.”
When asked why he is willing to speak on behalf of the country as a whole, Ford said he’s able to speak on behalf of all premiers based on a consensus, because “someone has to stand up for Ontario, and someone has to stand up for Canada.”
Reporters also asked if he’s been in conversation with American politicians and lawmakers, and Ford said that he has spent months discussing trade and economic growth on both sides of the border.
“This is all about building relationships. I'm on the phone every single day with governors, Congresspeople and senators every single day, and they're great people,” he said. “Not once did they say that Canada is the problem. I'll tell you who the problem is: China is the problem. shipping cheap parts into Mexico, and Mexico is slapping a made in Mexico on it, shipping it up to Canada, costing American and Canadian jobs.
“That's unacceptable, and Mexico has to make a decision: you're either with Beijing, or you're with Washington. And I can tell you that Canadians are with Washington.”
Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement Tuesday that “there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell” that Canada would join the United States, Ford also appeared on Fox News, where he told host Jesse Watters the two countries can work together without Canada being absorbed.
“Canada isn’t for sale.”