Ontario Premier-elect Doug Ford says he stands with PM in U.S. trade dispute

By Staff The Canadian Press

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford told reporters on Friday in his first press conference since being elected Premier-designate that he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about what he could provide in trade negotiations with the U.S.

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TORONTO – Ontario Premier-elect Doug Ford says he has told the prime minister that they stand united in a trade dispute against the United States.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanged tough words after the U.S. imposed hefty tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada, Mexico and Europe. Canada has countered with a plan to impose tariffs of its own on U.S. metals and other consumer goods.

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Ford was asked a day after he captured a majority government in Ontario’s election what he thinks of how Trump is handling trade issues.

“I talked to the prime minister yesterday,” he said. “I said we’ll stand united against our neighbours to the south and I’m very sincere when I say that. United we stand as a country and I’ll work hand in hand with the prime minister.”

Ford said he will keep all of his election promises, including to repeal the Liberals’ updated sex-ed curriculum.

But he declined to discuss specifics when asked about the timing of that, as well as when and how he would scrap the Liberals’ cap-and-trade program, or if he will introduce back-to-work legislation to end a months-long strike at York University in Toronto.

Ontarians have voted for change – tonight I spoke with @fordnation to congratulate him on his election as Premier-designate. Looking forward to working together to create jobs & opportunity. https://t.co/UmzfthEy6H
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 8, 2018

Ford also would not say if he will lower the legislature’s threshold for official party status to accommodate the Liberals, who were decimated at the polls. The bar is currently eight seats, but the Liberals were reduced Thursday night from a majority to holding just seven seats.

The premier-designate’s first order of business will be to examine the province’s books, he said.

VIDEO: York U students the only victims of strike, Ford says

“We have to see the financial situation that’s been left behind and over the next couple days and weeks you’re going to hear from us, but the most important thing is getting our fiscal house in order,” Ford said.

He also announced his transition team Friday, including former Conservative MP John Baird, a past chief of staff in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s government, and an executive at the Ford family business.

Ford said he expects the transition to take 21 days, and will meet Friday with the lieutenant-governor, when he will likely receive a formal invitation to form Ontario’s next government.

VIDEO: Andrea Horwath asked if she shares any common ground with Doug Ford