Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled the province’s Am-Can Growth Plan today, an ambitious strategy to fortify manufacturing supply chains between Canada and the United States as part of the broader “Fortress Am-Can” initiative.
Speaking at a press conference, Ford described the plan as a transformative step in bolstering the economic partnership between the two nations, which he called “the envy of the world.” The plan aims to create good-paying jobs, reduce reliance on adversarial nations like China and Russia, and fuel North American economic growth.
“Working together, we can be the richest, most successful, safest, and most secure countries on the planet,” Ford said. “Fortress Am-Can will restore the pride of ‘made in Ontario,’ ‘made in Canada,’ and ‘made in the U.S.A.’ by strengthening our economies and protecting our shared values.”
The Am-Can Growth Plan capitalizes on Ontario’s strengths, including historic investments in clean energy, skills training, and resource development, as well as a business environment that has seen costs reduced by $8 billion annually through tax cuts, premium reductions, and deregulation.
Key pillars of the plan include increasing cross-border automotive production, expanding steel and agri-food trade, harmonizing professional certifications, and strengthening transportation networks. Ontario is also calling for the elimination of what Ford described as “anti-competitive taxes,” such as the federal carbon tax and the digital services tax, to attract global investments.
Among the most ambitious goals is the production of an additional one million vehicles annually in the Am-Can region by 2028. The plan also proposes increasing steel trade between Canada and the U.S. by 25% over the same period, while reducing the flow of unfairly traded Chinese steel into North American markets.
Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli, highlighted the importance of the plan for workers and businesses. “The Am-Can Growth Plan will champion workers by creating good-paying jobs and advancing investment opportunities across key industries,” Fedeli said. “Ontario is uniquely positioned to support the re-shoring of supply chains critical to North American security.”
The plan also focuses on clean energy and critical mineral development. Ontario recently announced measures to enhance the integrated Canada-U.S. energy grid and establish a Critical Mineral Security Alliance, aimed at expanding processing capacity and boosting exports of clean energy, including nuclear power.
Ford stressed the urgency of deepening the economic relationship with the United States, citing Ontario’s role as America’s third-largest trading partner if it were a standalone country. In 2023, Ontario accounted for CAD $493 billion in two-way trade with the U.S., employing millions of workers on both sides of the border.
“Millions of Americans earn a paycheque every day making products sold in Ontario,” Ford said. “Our economies are deeply connected, and the Am-Can Growth Plan will strengthen that relationship for the future.”
With over $45 billion in new investments in vehicle manufacturing and EV battery production secured over the past four years, Ontario’s auto sector remains a cornerstone of the province’s economy, supporting over 93,000 direct jobs. The plan aims to further cement Ontario’s position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and clean energy innovation.
The Am-Can Growth Plan also calls for greater integration in workforce development, proposing cross-border partnerships between post-secondary institutions, industry, and unions to prepare workers for emerging sectors, such as chip manufacturing and energy infrastructure.
As Ontario continues to negotiate with the federal government to align economic priorities, Ford reiterated the province’s commitment to advocating for free and fair trade. “The Am-Can Growth Plan is about protecting and growing what we’ve built together,” Ford said. “It’s about ensuring our workers and businesses remain competitive, prosperous, and secure for generations to come.”
