Reality Check on Doug Ford's Trade Posturing ft. Eric Wickham (Podcast)
Ford deftly wields anti-American posturing to paper over his policies
This week on The North State, I spoke to Ontario PressProgress reporter Eric Wickham about Premier Doug Ford's boost in the polls after his public spat with Trump. RSS feed here. Apple Podcasts link here.
Description
Trade talks collapsed and Ontario Premier Doug Ford laced up his boots and donned the flag to decry US President Donald Trump. Between telling Trump to "kiss my ass," and unveiling a Lake Ontario sign in response to Trump's executive order renaming the body of water, Ford and the PCs have seen a benefit in the polls. But Ford's tenure leading Ontario has pushed legislation and politics far closer to the MAGA movement than nearly any other premier. While Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is floundering by meekly confronting the US-Canada trade war, Ford is turning around public perception of him and his party. Eric Wickham, Ontario reporter for PressProgress, joins Scott to discuss Ford's appeal, his tenure as premier and how, despite all this fervour, life in Ontario continues to deteriorate.
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Sources and Further Reading
Before tariffs, Ford says he was ‘100% happy’ Trump won U.S. election in hot mic comments - Global News
Doug Ford slumps to 24% approval rating amidst spending scandal - Global News (July)
Ford Rebounds as Ontario’s Appetite for a U.S. Fight Grows - 338 Canada
Ford rebounds as PCs regain lead in new Ontario poll amid escalating Trump trade fight - CityNews
'Stuff happens': Ford says he was unaware party allegedly followed former Liberal leader to Jamaica - CBC News
Niagara chair resigns after accusations of owning signed copy of Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’ - The Canadian Press via Global News
Sick leave a sticking point as Ontario teachers head into school year without a contract - The Trillium
Some Ontario government, business websites show ‘Lake America’ on maps - Global News
Ontario Legislature rising for 21-week summer break until end of October - The Canadian Press via CBC News
