Ford aims to keep tariff focus in Ontario election as Liberals, NDP tout health, education [Video]

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles shakes hands with people before a campaign event in Ottawa, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Ontario’s Liberals and NDP are using a pause in the tariff threat from the United States to begin a new chapter in the provincial election, focusing on issues such as health care and education, but Doug Ford doesn’t appear ready to turn the page.

The Progressive Conservative leader’s campaign announcement Tuesday was ostensibly about a provincial-specific issue, a promise to take on billions of dollars in costs for Ottawa’s light-rail transit system, but he spent much of his time hammering home his tariff warnings.

“We’ve averted an absolute disaster, at least for now,” Ford said in Ottawa.

“But make no mistake, Canada and Ontario continue to stare down the threat of tariffs. Whether it’s tomorrow, in a month, or a year from now, President Trump will continue …