Ontario PCs, NDP Zero-In On Looming US Tariffs, Liberals Promise Safer Transit

Ontario Conservative Leader Doug Ford, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner are shown in these recent file photos. The Canadian Press/Chris Young; Nathan Denette; Arlyn McAdorey

The third day on the campaign trail in Ontario saw Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford and NDP Leader Marit Stiles focus on responding strongly to impending U.S. tariffs, while Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie promised Torontonians a safer transit system.

Ford proposed that the province create more jobs by boosting construction projects as a way to help Canada in its impending tariff war with the United States.

Ford, who was campaigning in Niagara Falls Jan. 31, said a PC government would invest an additional $22 billion into its current $200 billion plan to build more roads and public transit to address Ontario’s growing population.

“Today, as we brace for the tariffs tomorrow, it’s never been more important to keep building, to build more, to build faster, to protect Ontario, to keep people working on a job site backed by a strong four-year mandate,” Ford said during a press conference.

“We'll prioritize shovel-ready projects that can get people to work quickly,” he added.

The White House confirmed on Jan. 31 that U.S. President Donald Trump will push ahead with 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1.

Ford expressed his intention to “fight back” against the tariffs and encouraged the federal government to do the same with a tariff-for-tariff response. 

“If President Trump proceeds with these tariffs, Canada can and should make him regret them,” Ford said during his press conference. “If this fight lasts, if the U.S. doesn’t see reason, Ontario is prepared to support and use every tool in our tool kit to win this fight.”

He said the province would work hand-in-hand with Ottawa to respond to Trump’s tax.

Trump has been threatening to slap 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico since his election last fall in response to his concerns regarding border security, saying illegal migrants and drugs are flowing over their borders into the United States.

Stiles Ready to ‘Fight’ Trump

NDP Leader Stiles is also promising to “fight” to protect Ontario jobs against Trump’s 25 percent tariffs should she become premier.

Stiles also said her second visit to Windsor in recent weeks is a reflection of her support for auto workers. She promised to “fight for every single job in this province” and defend the auto sector, especially the electric vehicle sector, from U.S. tariffs.

“We cannot afford to lose one single job in the EV sector or anywhere in the auto industry,” Stiles said during a Jan. 31 press conference at the Unifor Local 200 office.

The key to standing up to the president, she said, is by working with other premiers, the federal government and other countries.

“We'll work with our allies. We have a lot of friends out there, not just around this country, but all around the world,” she said. “And let’s be clear, Donald Trump, he’s going to try to pick us off one by one. We have to stand strong, and we have to stand united.”

Crombie Focuses on TTC Safety

Crombie put her focus squarely on Toronto-area residents Jan. 31 with an announcement that her government would focus on making all subway stations in Ontario’s most populated region safe and affordable.

The Liberal leader pledged to install platform barriers at all Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) stations, invest in more cameras and safety equipment, and increase crisis intervention teams. She also promised to hire more constables for transit services across the province.

“We know that over a million people ride the TTC each and every day, and for myself and for others, there’s situations where you just don’t feel safe,” she said during a press conference outside Line 2’s Kennedy Station in Scarborough.

“You have people using the TTC as a shelter from somewhere to come in off the cold. And there are times on our subway cars, where, quite frankly, you just feel unsafe.”

Crombie has yet to announce how much her plan would cost, but said more details will be released over the course of the campaign.

Crombie was questioned by reporters about why she would sink money into transit when it is a municipal responsibility. The premier hopeful said it was a safety issue that needed to be addressed.

“A million people ride the TTC each and every day … and I don’t want to have this tug of war on who is funding it,” she said. “I’m going to lay it out right now that this is something we believe in and we will fund.”

Crombie has yet to speak with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow about the plan, but said she intends to arrange a meeting with the city’s leader in the future to discuss a range of topics.

Crombie also said she would consider rolling out similar plans in other large cities like Ottawa.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner visited Wellington-Halton Hills Jan. 31 to promote the party’s plan to support rural communities.

The party plans to work with farmers and rural communities to help it gain better access to health care, Schreiner said in a statement. The Green leader said he will continue visiting other rural communities over the weekend.

This is the third day of a four-week provincial election campaign that will see voters cast their ballots on Feb. 27.