Ontario Premier Doug Ford has proposed buying Alaska as a counterproposal to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s frequent reference of Canada as America’s 51st state.
In a news conference following Justin Trudeau’s resignation on Monday, Ford reacted to the news saying that the prime minister still has a job to do until a new leader is elected.
He said that with his time left as Canada’s prime minister, Trudeau needs to focus on combatting Trump’s threat of implementing 25 per cent tariffs on Canada when he becomes president.
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“We need the prime minister to focus 100 per cent on the U.S. tariffs. We have 14 days left before elect-president Trump gets inaugurated and we need to focus to make sure these tariffs don’t move forward and if they do move forward, we need to make sure that the federal government has a strong plan.”
Back in November, Trump stated that he would impost the tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico coming into the U.S. Trump claims the tariffs will combat illegal drugs from entering the U.S.
Trump is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20.
Ford added that Trudeau said he would sit down with all the premiers to discuss the looming tariff threat and that he “holds him to that promise.”
“We need the prime minister to continue doing his job. Prorogation doesn’t mean vacation, it means continuing moving forward as prime minister as long as he has that title.”
Ford has been vocal about his stance on the significant tariffs and how Canada needs to fight against them. He reiterated his commitment to fighting them during his presser today.
“I’m 100 per cent focused on the tariffs. I’ve been reaching out to governors and really congress people and senators, business leaders in the U.S.,” he said.
“God forbid President-elect Trump gets in there and puts tariffs, we have to retaliate. We have to retaliate, we have to retaliate hard against our friends south of the border which is unfortunate,” he added.
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FORD SNAPS BACK AT TRUMP
Ford also commented on Trump’s recent jabs at Canada, referring to it as the 51st U.S. state.
“I’ll make him a counter offer. How about if we buy Alaska? We’ll throw in Minnesota, and Minneapolis at the same time. So, it’s not realistic.”
“I know he likes making these comments and he likes joking around. I take that seriously. He may be joking but under my watch that will never, ever happen.
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As for working with a new federal government, Ford said he’ll collaborate with anyone regardless of their party.
“I’m going to do what’s in the best interest of Ontario… We’ll continue to do positive projects with a new government as they come in or the new prime minister, whoever that might be.”
Trudeau met with Governor General Mary Simon Sunday night who granted his request for a new Parliament, which will be prorogued until March 24, 2025.
