As Trudeau announces he’ll step aside, Ford says federal government needs to focus on Trump tariff threat

'Prorogation doesn't mean vacation': Ford Ont. Premier Doug Ford says Ottawa must continue to fight the threat of U.S. tariffs regardless of Justin Trudeau's position in government.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says that the federal government needs to stay focused on incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threat despite Justin Trudeau’s announcement that he will be stepping aside as prime minister.

“We need the prime minister to focus 100 per cent on the U.S. tariffs,” Ford told reporters Monday.

“Canada needs to demonstrate stability and strength at this critical moment, and the federal government must urgently explain to Canadians how they will avoid tariffs that could have devastating effects on our economy,” Ford said in a statement Monday.

His words followed the bombshell announcement by Trudeau that he is stepping down as Liberal leader, paving the way for a leadership race that will see a new prime minister chosen by the party.

Trudeau also said Monday that Governor General Mary Simon agreed to a request he made to prorogue parliament until March 24.

That means that Trudeau could remain as a lame-duck prime minister for the first few months of Trump’s second term.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has vowed to impose a blanket 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican goods imported into the U.S. unless Canada does more to stem the flow of drugs and migrants at the border.

“President-elect Trump continues to make real threats about imposing sweeping tariffs that would devastate Canada’s economy. In two weeks, the president-elect will be sworn in as America’s next president and will have every opportunity to make his threats real,” Ford said in a statement.

“Between now and then, the federal government needs to do everything humanly possible to avoid these tariffs, including by doing more to secure our border and offering a credible plan to invest more in Canada’s military to meet and exceed our NATO spending commitments.”

For his part, Trudeau said Monday when asked about the tariff threat that standing up for Canada and its economy is something that everyone in government will remain “singularly” focused on.

“The government and cabinet will still be very much focused on doing what Canadians elected us to do in 2021, which is fight for their interests, stand up for their well-being and make sure that Canadians are protected and strong,” Trudeau said.

Speaking with reporters, Ford said he expects Trudeau to continue to do his job until there is a new leader.

“We need an all hands on deck approach. We need the prime minister to continue doing his job. Prorogation does not mean vacation,” he said.

He said Trudeau promised that he would sit down with the premiers to discuss the tariff threat and he intends to hold the prime minister to that promise.

Looking back at their relationship, Ford spoke in general terms and acknowledged that he and Trudeau worked well together at times.

“Yes, we’ve had some really, really good deals for the people of Ontario. We worked together through the pandemic as we did right across this country. I always look at positive things that we’ve done,” Ford said.

Ford has boasted of good relations with a number of high-profile federal cabinet ministers, including Chrystia Freeland and Dominic LeBlanc.

Asked whether he has a preference for who might succeed in the impending federal Liberal leadership race, he said both are “good people,” but that he would leave it up to the party to decide.

Noone has officially put their name forward so far for a leadership bid, though multiple people are rumoured to be considering it.

Other leaders react

Other leaders were more succinct in their reactions.

“I want to thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for over a decade of public service to Canadians,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement. “As leadership changes occur in Ottawa, I will stay focused on building more homes, feeding more kids and getting Toronto moving.”

Chow has said previously that she is eager to make sure that the ink is dry on federal commitments around school nutrition programs for kids and new subway cars to replace the ageing Line 2 fleet before there is a power change in Ottawa.

Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie noted that Trudeau has been in public service for 17 years and said it is a difficult job.

She also praised him for leading the country through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“He led our country through a difficult era with a global pandemic and a divisive and challenging geopolitical climate,” Crombie said. “There will be lots of discussion about what comes next for the federal Liberals. I will remain, as always, focused on delivering the change Ontario desperately needs.

“I thank the Prime Minister for his service to Canadians and wish him well in whatever comes next.”

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also acknowledged that public life can be difficult and wished Trudeau well.

“I wish Justin Trudeau and his family all the best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives and look forward to working to advance critical projects for Brampton during the remainder of his tenure,” Brown said in a statement. “Public service is not without its challenges, and his contributions to Brampton and Canada will not be forgotten.”