Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Canada’s provincial leaders to present a united front during what he described as “uncertain times,” following the surprise resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
The unexpected announcement, made just hours before a meeting of Canada’s premiers on Monday, sent shockwaves through Ottawa and heightened concerns over the country’s ability to navigate a potential trade war with the United States.
Freeland, a key architect of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), stepped down after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed her on Friday that she would no longer serve as finance minister.
Her resignation comes as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has renewed his threats to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports unless border controls with Mexico and Canada are tightened.
“Today has been an important reminder of how critical it is for premiers to work together,” Ford said following the meeting. “No matter what’s happening in Ottawa, all of us premiers will remain united as ‘Team Canada’ to provide steady and stable leadership.”
The premiers’ discussions were dominated by the potential economic fallout from U.S. tariffs, which Ford described as the most significant risk currently facing Canada. He called for closer collaboration between provincial leaders and the federal government, advocating for a “full ‘Team Canada’ approach” to protect jobs and ensure economic stability.
Ford outlined a series of measures he believes are critical for Canada’s response, including accelerating NATO spending to meet the 2% GDP target and implementing a robust border security plan. While he acknowledged Ottawa had provided some updates on its strategy, he criticized the lack of detailed timelines and transparency.
Despite his calls for unity, Ford reiterated Ontario’s willingness to take unilateral retaliatory measures if necessary. He doubled down on threats to restrict the export of Ontario-made energy to the U.S., bar American products from provincial procurement processes, and explore other economic countermeasures.
“We are not backing away whatsoever,” Ford said when asked if his stance had softened. While some premiers, including Alberta’s Danielle Smith and Quebec’s François Legault, have publicly opposed Ford’s hardline rhetoric, he stood firm, arguing that decisive action is needed to safeguard Canadian workers and industries.
The meeting also highlighted concerns over Freeland’s departure, given her experience and role in negotiating CUSMA during Trump’s first presidency. Ford acknowledged her contributions but emphasized the need to shift focus toward preparing for Trump’s planned renegotiation of the trade agreement in 2026. He suggested that Canada should explore a bilateral trade deal with the U.S., positioning the provinces as key players in future negotiations.
Ford floated the idea of a collective mission to Washington in February following Trump’s inauguration, where premiers could advocate directly with U.S. officials. “We must show our partners to the south that Canada’s provinces are united and ready to protect our shared economic interests,” he said.
While Ford avoided directly criticizing Trudeau, his comments underscored growing provincial frustration with Ottawa’s approach to handling the tariff threat. “We need strong, consistent leadership from the federal government. We will all be at the table, ensuring Canada is prepared for the months ahead,” Ford said.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment among the premiers to work collaboratively on a unified strategy to address both domestic and international challenges. As Canada braces for a turbulent economic landscape, the call for unity has become more urgent than ever.
