Premier Doug Ford unveils new cabinet, designed to fight Trump tariffs

Premier Doug Ford gave Ontario a look at his new government Wednesday, a government designed to fight Donald Trump and his U.S. tariffs.

At the same time, we heard what may be the first comment so far from a representative of King Charles, since Trump started making his 51st state threat.

Charles has been noticeably silent about the U.S. president’s threats against Canada and the 51st state idea.

Buckingham Palace says he doesn’t get involved in politics, but Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Edith Dumont – the King’s representative in the province – delivered a strong defence of Canada and the need to preserve it as a country.

Following Ford’s overwhelming election victory last month, MPPs were sworn in and Ford and his cabinet ministers took the oath of office.

Dumont oversaw the ceremony and spoke out for Ontario’s democracy, going back to the birth of Canada, and the need to protect it.

“The tradition we uphold today testifies to the enduring stability of our democracy, and to the strength of our public institutions,” she said. “Premier Ford, new and returning members of the cabinet, the oath you area bout to swear affirm your solemn dedication to preserving this stability and this strength.”

The King has not commented publicly on Trump’s attacks on Canada, although he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this week.

His lieutenant-governor in Ontario says Canadians can have pride in their country, and it will survive.

“Ontarians and Canadians are facing many challenges and we also know we have always proved that we have the resilience to prevail,” she said. “There is no doubt that we will emerge even stronger.”

Ford says Trump is one of the greatest threats Ontario has ever faced.

“It’s no exaggeration to say Ontario is facing one of the most pressing and significant challenges in the history of our province,” he said, “and I’m going to fight like I’ve never fought before with a united Team Ontario and united Team Canada.”

“Canada will never be the 51st state – Canada is not for sale.”

Premier Doug Ford’s new cabinet

Ford has put together a cabinet of 37 ministers, the same size as before and the largest cabinet in Ontario history, with only a few changes to the list.

MP Zee Hamid from Milton is the only new minister and is in charge of auto theft and bail reform.

High-profile Minister Paul Calandra moves from municipal affairs and housing to education.

The Elementary Teachers Federation welcomed the appointment, saying they will work with him to strengthen public education.

Opposition leader Marit Stiles says every MPP should be pushing back against Donald Trump and his tariffs, but was looking for change in the cabinet that didn’t happen.

She said, “he has to fight the affordability crisis, that we need to see affordable housing actually built, and that we need real rent control.”

There were suggestions that Ford would appoint a minister specifically to deal with trump and his tariffs, but that did not happen.

Ford has been leading that fight and is keeping the job of intergovernmental affairs minister for himself.

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