The Ontario NDP and Liberal Party are criticizing premier Doug Ford’s decision to spend nearly $75 million on an anti-tariff ad campaign targeting Republicans in the U.S.
Ford shared details about the ad while speaking at the Empire Club of Canada on Tuesday. The ad is narrated by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and warns Americans about the impacts of tariffs.
“Such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer… high tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars, then the worst happens, markets shrink and collapse, businesses shut down….” Reagan said. “America’s jobs and growth are at stake.”
Ford said this new ad will run on “every major network” in the U.S, except CNN.
“We’re going to repeat that message to every single Republican district there is… it’s not a nasty ad, it’s actually just very factual,” he said.
However, Ford’s ad comes with a hefty price tag, as he said it cost roughly $75 million to produce and circulate it.
Despite the attempt to combat U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Ford’s ad is under fire against opposing parties, with the Liberal Party saying the tactic won’t work.
Ontario Liberal Critic for Finance and Trade Stephanie Bowman released a statement saying the money should be allocated elsewhere instead.
“Spending that amount of taxpayer money enriching U.S. media giants, in the middle of an affordability crisis, trade war, and record unemployment, says a lot about this government,” she said. “Ontario Liberals believe that money would be better spent providing affordable relief for people, protecting jobs, or supporting workers who have lost theirs.”
Earlier this week, European automaker Stellantis announced it will be pulling production of the Jeep Compass from its Brampton assembly plant and moving it to the U.S.; Bowman says the funds could have been used to respond to the closure.
“The $75 million being spent on more useless feel-good ads would be better spent supporting the 3,000 workers in Brampton who will not be returning to work, and others like them,” she said.
Leader of the Ontario NDP Marit Stiles also released a statement criticizing Ford’s decision.
“Taking $75 Million out of people’s pockets to dress up broken promises and failures with a shiny new American ad won’t lead to a single job saved or made,” she said. “No plan. No vision. No jobs.”
Some Ontarians have taken to social media to share their concerns with the large amount of money being spent.
“75 million that could’ve gone to our hospitals and colleges,” a Reddit user said.
“75M they could’ve went to healthcare,” another user said.
“How about spending that on healthcare?,” another user said.
The ads will begin running in the U.S. next week, according to media reports.
By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
