OTTAWA — Ontario’s premier is expected to unveil plans Monday morning to charge a surcharge for provincial electrical exports to the United States.
Premier Doug Ford and Energy Minister Stephen Lecce are scheduled to take part in an 11 a.m. news conference from Queen’s Park.
Last week, Ford promised to provide more information on the 25% counter-tariffs, which will impact around 1.5 million Americans in New York, Michigan and Minnesota — but has maintained he has no qualms about cutting off Canadian power exports entirely.
“If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything — including cut off their energy with a smile on my face,” Ford told reporters at a press conference earlier this month.
“They rely on our energy, they need to feel the pain. They want to come at us hard, we’re going to come back twice as hard.”
Ford has maintained the measures will go forward, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision last week to hold off on additional tariffs specifically targeting the auto sector until next month.
The walkback by the White House prompted federal Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc to hit the pause button on Canada’s second-wave of retaliatory tariffs on $125 billion worth of U.S. products — at least until April 2.
Ontario has already torn up a $100-million high-speed internet deal with Elon Musk-owned Starlink, has barred U.S.-based firms from participating in procurement opportunities, and has threatened to withhold Ontario exports of certain critical minerals in high demand by U.S. industry.
As well, the LCBO — the world’s largest purchaser of alcoholic beverages — has pulled all American beer, wine and spirits from its shelves.
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