Doug Ford may face pressure to engage federally

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has recently won his third consecutive election but is choosing to stay out of the federal campaign for now. Experts say he might not be able to avoid getting involved, especially due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies. Ford was elected again after calling a snap election partly in response to Trump’s tariff war, which he has strongly opposed. However, he has indicated that he prefers to remain on the sidelines of the federal political fight, despite the significance of tariffs as a campaign issue. His office confirmed that he plans to stay out of the fray. When asked about his relationship with federal party leaders, Ford avoided taking sides, saying he would work with anyone. He mentioned having established ties with some Liberal ministers but did not express familiarity with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre or Liberal Leader Mark Carney. Political analysts note Ford’s history of avoiding involvement in previous federal elections while still reacting to federal issues as Premier. Due to the ongoing trade tensions, experts suggest he may find himself engaged with federal leaders on tariff-related matters, potentially aligning more closely with Carney. Additionally, political volatility in federal polls may discourage Ford from joining a campaign. With important federal funding at stake for Ontario’s infrastructure, he cannot afford to alienate potential government leaders. Despite his reluctance, Ford has a record of being an outspoken critic on federal policies, particularly regarding the carbon tax and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Some analysts argue that his approach during the provincial election could offer lessons for federal parties in understanding voter concerns, particularly around security and economic issues tied to tariffs. While Ford claims he doesn't want to get involved in the federal elections, analysts suggest that the links between provincial and federal parties are weaker than those among their respective counterparts, which could impact how political strategies are communicated to voters.