Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP Leader, Prioritizes US Tariffs in Campaign Kickoff

January 29, 2025 TruthUSA

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles is prepared to confront U.S. tariffs and has a strategy to safeguard the income of workers in the province.

Stiles launched her campaign in Toronto on Jan. 29, surrounded by other NDP candidates, as the province is set to hold an election on Feb. 27.

She expressed confidence in her ability to handle imminent U.S. tariffs and negotiate high-stakes deals. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on exports from Canada unless action is taken to secure the shared border, potentially starting on Feb. 1.

Stiles stated, “I have negotiated with multinational American corporations, protecting jobs, supporting Canadian industry, and securing higher wages and benefits for workers. I am prepared to lead that fight for every resident in this province.”

As part of the NDP response, Stiles assured her supporters of protecting the income of Ontario residents, saying, “If Trump follows through with tariffs that impact you significantly, we will support you and your family through a robust income protection program.”

She also pledged to form partnerships with entities within and outside of Canada to resist Trump’s actions. Stiles emphasized, “We have allies within and outside of Canada. We must strengthen those alliances because Donald Trump will attempt to isolate us individually.”

Additionally, Stiles vowed to eliminate tolls on Highway 407, saying, “Within the first 100 days, I will negotiate a deal to remove all tolls on the 407, allowing people to return home to their families quicker and escape the congested traffic, while putting money back in their pockets.”

Other key priorities for her party include increasing the number of doctors, constructing homes, and improving schools.

Stiles represents Davenport as the MPP. She previously served as a trustee for the Toronto District School Board and as the national director of public policy and research for the Alliance of Canadian Cinema and Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA).

Premier Doug Ford announced the dissolution of the legislature on Jan. 28 and called for an early election, citing the need for a fresh mandate due to the impending U.S. tariffs. This means Ontarians will vote more than a year before the fixed election date of June 2026.

Ford’s Progressive Conservatives currently hold a majority government with 79 out of 124 seats in Queen’s Park. The NDP has 28 seats, while the Liberals have nine. Independent MPPs occupy six seats, and the Green Party holds two.

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