PC Leader Doug Ford talks trade — and bourbon — in Ottawa campaign stop

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Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford had a fire in his belly and was talking bourbon Tuesday as he addressed U.S. president Donald Trump and his on-again, off-again promises to impose stiff tariffs on Canadian goods.

After Trump hit the pause button on planned 25-per-cent tariffs Monday, Ford reversed course on his plan to have U.S. alcohol removed from LCBO shelves. That would have included everything from California wine to Kentucky bourbon.

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Ford wants to continue to negotiate with Trump, who says he will revisit the tariff question March 1. But Ford says the change in the president’s tone early this week is at least partly the result of hearing loud complaints from those against his tax plan, including U.S. alcohol producers worried about lost sales in Canada.

“It’s about working together and explaining to the American people,” Ford said during a provincial election campaign stop at an east Ottawa window and door manufacturing company.

“That’s where the pressure comes. The pressure comes from the senators, the governors, the congresswomen and men who are getting calls from their constituents, shouting up and down and screaming.”

The LCBO, Ford says, carries 3,600 products from 35 U.S. states and 2,000 companies.

“There’s one thing I’ve learned,” he said. “Don’t mess with people’s booze. They lose their minds. People love their bourbon. It’s their country, their state, their religion and then bourbon, in Kentucky … That’s how it goes.”

At the same time, Ford says, nobody can afford to relax, believing that Trump has completely abandoned his tariff plan.

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As much as he dislikes Trump’s approach, Ford acknowledges that the U.S. president was a smart negotiator and said, “Uncertainty is the only certainty.”

“We have to work together and we have been working together,” Ford said, hammering home the point that discussions can’t be one-sided in making sure the U.S. doesn’t take advantage of Ontario.

“I’m talking about the most serious situation the country has ever seen. I think it’s even more serious than the pandemic. This is someone who is targetting Ontario. You know why he’s targetting Ontario? Because we’re an economic powerhouse now.”

Indeed, the looming presence of Trump is here, there and everywhere during the Ontario election. Without his loud words and daily social media rants, Ontario’s housing and health issues would be at the forefront of the campaign.

Instead, Ford spent a good part of Tuesday’s session with reporters talking about a hot mic incident on Monday. Ford was heard saying that he had been happy Trump won the 2024 U.S. presidential election until Trump went on his tariff crusade.

“I can work with anyone, I don’t care who it is. I just thoughts thing might be a little different,” Ford said. “I believe in people that want to put money back into people’s pockets. I believe in elected officials, no matter what stripe, lowering taxes on people, on businesses. That’s economics 101.”

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Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles and Ontario Liberal boss Bonnie Crombie were also on the campaign trail Tuesday and said Ford’s live mic incident spoke volumes.

“I think the fact that he keeps saying one thing in front of you and another thing behind doors tells you everything you need to know about Doug Ford,” Stiles said.

Crombie said the comments revealed what Ford was all about.

“I think that statement, caught on a hot mic, when he didn’t know other people could be listening, shows his true character,” Crombie said.

kwarren@postmedia.com

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