Ford, Leader of the PC Party, to Acknowledge Ontario’s EV Pledge, Crombie and Stiles Show Uncertainty

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford stated on Thursday that he will uphold Ontario’s commitment to the growing electric vehicle sector if re-elected, while his primary political opponents were less certain.

Despite signing a free trade deal with Canada and Mexico during his first term, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed disinterest in Canadian cars. He has threatened a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian imports unless border security is enhanced, with a specific focus on Ontario’s automotive industry to boost domestic vehicle production.

Ford’s government entered into an auto pact with the federal government in 2023 to provide one-third of production incentives for deals with Volkswagen, Stellantis, and LG Energy Solution for their EV battery plants.

In response to former U.S. president Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, Ford and the federal government invested in the sector to compete with the tax credit for clean vehicle purchases included in the act.

“Even if President Trump abandons America’s commitment to the auto industry, we will continue to support it,” Ford affirmed during a campaign event in London, Ont.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles expressed her commitment to safeguarding the auto industry but mentioned the necessity of reviewing the deals with Stellantis and Volkswagen.

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie emphasized the need to diversify Ontario’s economy and expressed concerns about over-reliance on the EV sector.