OTTAWA — Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, who was captured on camera saying he was happy Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, says that is because he "thought things might be a little different."
Speaking to fellow Progressive Conservatives and supporters off to the side at a campaign event Monday in Toronto, Ford said he was "100 per cent" happy that Trump won, but the president then betrayed Canada.
Ford explained his comments today after announcing that a re-elected PC government would take on billions of dollars in costs for Ottawa's light-rail transit system.
He says he thought that Canada and the U.S. were going to move forward with Trump back in the White House as the economy was strong, and he believes in those who lower taxes on people and businesses.
The Liberals quickly turned the video of Ford saying he was happy Trump won into an attack ad, questioning what else Ford says when he thinks members of the public are not listening.
Ontario's NDP and Liberal party leaders say now that the threat of tariffs from the U.S. is on hold for at least a month, it's time for the election campaign to focus on provincial policy.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles is in Ottawa today and is promising to spend more money in the education system, hiring more staff, supporting students with disabilities, adding $830 million per year for school repairs, and creating a universal school food program.
She says Ford is trying to "con" voters into thinking the snap election is all about tariffs, but it should be about Ford's record since he was first elected in 2018.
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie says now that Trump has agreed to pause his threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods for at least 30 days, Ford has lost his excuse for this election.
She says the Feb. 27 election should be about both protecting the province and fixing the public health-care system.
Ford has said he called the election because he needs a new mandate to deal with not just the immediate threat of tariffs, but to handle four years of relations with the U.S. under Trump.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 4, 2025.
The Canadian Press
