Ontario Premier Doug Ford is increasingly in the media spotlight regarding Canada’s response to Donald Trump’s threats.
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In addition to speaking on several American television channels to comment on the idea raised by the president-elect of making Canada the 51st American state, Mr. Ford also announced important initiatives in recent days regarding the relationship with the United States.
“It’s as if Doug Ford filled the void, essentially,” says political analyst Emmanuelle Latraverse. In 2017, during Donald Trump’s first term, it was Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland who led this response.
“Now the new Captain Canada, ladies and gentlemen, is Doug Ford,” she adds. Some note that he may be doing this because he wants to run for office and secure his re-election for a third term. Still, he is the one who defends Canada.
The Premier of Ontario also made an important announcement on Wednesday at the Darlington nuclear power plant, during which he shared his vision of establishing an “energy fortress” in North America with the UNITED STATES.
-“Last evening, Mr. Ford confirmed that he will chair a delegation of provincial premiers to go to Washington on February 12 to meet members of Congress, senators, but also, we hope, Donald’s ministers. Trump,” says Ms. Latraverse.
The Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, will also participate in this mission of the Council of the Federation.
“Mr. Legault does not want to appear on the margins and lack leadership, but at the same time, with his nationalism and his autonomy, he cannot become Captain Canada either, that would be a little incongruous,” maintains the political analyst.
It is in this context that he published a long message on his social networks on Wednesday, calling for calm.
“What is a little peculiar is how Mr. Legault continues to emphasize the border and […] it continues to put the weight of the response on the federal government,” analyzes Ms. Latraverse.
“We have the impression from here, in Ottawa, that the debate is no longer about visas and the border, the debate is much broader,” she adds. We are at the dawn, we fear, of a trade war which could really engulf the entire economy.”
See the full analysis in the video above
