Doug Ford Secures Another Term—What’s His First Order of Business?
Doug Ford Faces Pressure to Act on Stimulus Plan Amid Trump Tariff Threats
After making it a cornerstone of his re-election campaign, Ontario Premier Doug Ford must now prepare to implement his multibillion-dollar stimulus package while his government awaits clarity on U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Ford secured a third majority government on Thursday, positioning himself as the leader best equipped to counter Trump’s plan to impose 25% tariffs on most Canadian exports. His campaign outlined billions in potential aid, including a $5-billion Protect Ontario Account, $10 billion in employer tax deferrals, up to $3 billion in payroll and premium relief, and $40 million for municipalities impacted by tariffs.
On election night, Ford struck a unifying tone but signaled readiness for action.
“I will work with every level of government and every political stripe, because fighting back against Donald Trump, standing up for Canada, it will take a full Team Ontario effort,” Ford said. “It will take a full Team Canada effort.”
Ford has also threatened retaliatory measures, including banning U.S. alcohol from LCBO shelves, canceling Ontario’s deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink, and prohibiting American companies from bidding on provincial contracts.
Ford’s Team Awaits Trump’s Next Move
Conservative strategist Dan Mader believes Ford will act swiftly if tariffs are imposed.
“If the economy starts to get hammered, this is going to be like the beginning of the pandemic when governments scrambled to respond and made decisions day by day to save jobs and livelihoods,” said Mader, a founding partner at Loyalist Strategies.
However, Trent University political science professor Cristine de Clercy cautions that Ford’s role in international trade disputes is limited.
“He’s a provincial premier trying to influence an international policy agenda. So there are real limits on his capacity to act and react in the current trade war context.”
Former Liberal cabinet minister John Milloy echoed this, emphasizing the unpredictability of Trump’s decisions.
“He’s been all over the map on this and cried wolf several times,” said Milloy, now director of the Centre for Public Ethics at Martin Luther University College.
Calls to Prioritize Health Care and Infrastructure
While Ford campaigned on economic resilience, Milloy believes his immediate focus should shift to pressing domestic issues, particularly health care.
“I think there was a reason why he got the same number of seats—it’s because of the state of the health-care system,” Milloy said. “He’s got to put more effort into that.”
Mader expects Ford’s government to concentrate on transit expansion, housing, and health care, pointing to campaign promises such as funding more family health teams.
Among Ford’s most ambitious pledges is a proposed tunnel under Highway 401 in Toronto—an infrastructure megaproject that experts estimate could cost upwards of $100 billion. The province has yet to release a feasibility study or official cost analysis.
De Clercy suggests Ford has the political freedom to pursue his priorities but notes his track record of backtracking on controversial policies.
“Given [the results], he has pretty free rein to do what he wants,” she said. “He also has an admirable capacity to walk back ideas or decisions that later prove questionable.”
As Ford begins his third term, all eyes are on how he navigates the looming trade uncertainty and delivers on key campaign promises.
