"Fortress Am-Can” proposes closer integration between Canada and the US
From here in mid-April, it’s hard to believe Trump was inaugurated only a few weeks ago, on January 20th.
Perhaps it feels longer because news media has been feverishly reporting Trump’s musings and “announcements” about tariffs and the 51st state since his electoral win in November. In this blizzard of on-again-off-again tariffing (and stock market manipulation), it’s clarifying to look back at the past few months to remember how we got here.
Just a week after Trump’s inauguration, on January 28th, Doug Ford called a snap election in Ontario, for February 27th. This call ran counter to the Ontario Elections Act, which states the general election must be held the first Thursday of June in the fourth year after the last general election. Our next election was due on June 2nd, 2026.
Though Team Ford insisted it needed a “new mandate” to deal with Trump - a nonsensical suggestion, as Doug already held a majority - Trump and the Republicans presented Team Ford with an opportunity too good to lose. With a fat war chest, and big assists from Canadian and US media, this was an opportunity for Ford to create a “Captain Canada” persona, positioned as “strong on Trump”, that he could ride all the way to the Prime Minister’s Office once he sealed the deal (and completed the bust out) in Ontario.
As part of the Captain Canada theatrics, Ford and his team have been receiving great mileage (via credulous media coverage) from announcing counter-measures against US economic threats that are little more than symbolic, if that. Photos and B-roll of empty shelves at the LCBO got heavy media play in Canada, but, in reality, American booze is still available at Ontario bars and restaurants (and casinos). Indeed, US beer, wine and ready-to-drink booze can be purchased in Ontario at more places than ever before, thanks to the Ford government - at grocery stores, big box stores and convenience stores.
As we reported last year, Ford intends to end the LCBO, so it has been a useful prop to demonstrate his strength and forcefulness against Trump and the US while really harming nothing but the LCBO. (more...)
Ford’s plan to turn Canada into America’s assistant
Related:
Matawa tribal chiefs not so keen on Fortress Am-Can
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