PM Carney, Premier Ford ‘united’ in navigating Canadian economy amid Trump’s tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Premier Doug Ford in Ottawa Monday as they try to work out a future for Canada’s economy in the Donald Trump tariff era.

The leaders did not provide a lot of details, but they said they had a good meeting, and Ford said they’re “united” about focusing on what’s best for the Canadian economy.

Going into the meeting, Carney said the talks would cover a range of items, with the steel industry right up there.

“We’ll talk about steel, autos, new technology in the economy, artificial intelligence, and what we’re doing in terms of making Canada competitive,” said Carney.

Ford said it’s about protecting the Canadian economy.

“We’re going to protect Ontarians and we’re going to protect Canadians,” said Ford.

As they sat down together, Carney said this is a critical time for the country, with work to do on major economic projects.

WATCH MORE: Trump’s 35 per cent tariffs came into effect today. Now what?

Ford said afterwards, the talks went well.

“We had a great discussion,” said Ford. “Nothing happens immediately in that room, but we’re on the same page.”

He said they’re going to work together to keep Canada competitive.

“We have to hold firm, and we have to create the environment — for instance the steel sector,” said Ford. “The steel sector, we have to look at the large infrastructure projects — shipbuilding — and make sure the large-scale infrastructure projects, like a pipeline, make sure the pipes come from Ontario.”

Ford said Canada can’t control U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him a different type of “cat”, but it can control how it responds as a united “Team Canada.”

“We’re united on the message of ‘let’s start worrying about how we can be competitive here’,” said Ford. “The president is unpredictable.”

“He’ll come out with some cockamamie thing tomorrow that we don’t even know about,” said Ford.

Ford also praised Carney’s work with the other premiers to respond to Trump, and had a suggestion for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre if he is re-elected to Parliament following a by-election in Alberta Monday.

“Work with the prime minister, with ‘Team Canada’,” said Ford. “Let’s put political strikes aside and start working together.”

Ford said he was also calling on Carney to cut taxes, to create conditions for the Canadian economy to prosper despite Trump.

There is no indication from Carney how that went over.

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