Internal PC memo signals Ontario premier will likely call early election [Video]

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s intentions to impose tariffs on Canadian goods next week by sending an internal email to Progressive Conservative staffers, telling them the majority government needs a stronger mandate to effectively negotiate during a potential trade war.

The Monday night email, obtained by CBC Toronto, is perhaps the strongest sign yet that Ford intends to call an early election in 2025. In it, Ford’s chief of staff said he had a “brief but important update” in light of Trump’s planned tariffs.

“As we enter a period of unparalleled economic risk and critical negotiations, our government will need a strong mandate from the people to stand up for Ontario,” Patrick Sackville told party staffers in the email.

“The stronger the mandate the better.”

In the weeks leading up to his inauguration Monday, Trump repeatedly threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods coming …