Premier Ford Declares: ‘Ontario Will Never Be the 51st State’ in Response to Trump’s Remarks

Ontario Premier Ford Rejects Trump’s “51st State” Proposal, Affirms Canadian Pride

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has dismissed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state, emphasizing Canadian independence and pride.

Ford made the statement during CTV News Toronto’s Toy Mountain segment on Wednesday night, echoing sentiments shared by Canadian actor and comedian Mike Myers, who appeared in a video during the event.

“Canadians take care of Canadians. We don’t need to be anybody’s 51st state,” Myers said in the clip.

Ford agreed, stating, “We’ll never be the 51st state. We’re Canada. We’re proud to be Canadians. We’ll always fight for that.”

Trump had earlier taken to his social media platform, Truth Social, to propose the idea, claiming the U.S. is subsidizing Canada by “$100,000,000 a year.” He asserted that many Canadians would support the move to reduce taxes and bolster military protection.

“Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State,” Trump wrote. “I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!”

While a recent Leger poll suggests 13 percent of Canadians might support joining the U.S., Trump’s comments have fueled tensions between the two nations.

This is not the first time Trump has made controversial remarks about Canada. Earlier this month, he posted a photo on Truth Social standing near a Canadian flag with the caption “Oh Canada!” and referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor” of the “great state of Canada.”

Tensions have escalated further as Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian imports unless Canada tightens its borders to curb the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants. In response, Canada’s federal government has been working with provincial leaders to prepare potential countermeasures, including retaliatory tariffs.

Ford has indicated Ontario is prepared to take drastic steps if necessary, including cutting off electricity exports to neighboring U.S. states such as New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. However, he described such measures as a “last resort.”

The Ontario government is also exploring other retaliatory options, including restricting the LCBO from purchasing American-made alcohol, halting critical mineral exports, and excluding U.S. companies from provincial procurement processes.

Despite these tensions, Ford struck a lighter tone in a recent interview with Fox News, calling Trump a “funny guy” following the president-elect’s initial suggestion of statehood for Canada.

As tensions persist, Ford and other Canadian leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to defending Canadian sovereignty and standing against any external pressures.