Bonnie Crombie agrees with Ford’s pushback to Trump’s tariff threat, but wants ‘multi-party task force’

Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie has issued an open letter to Premier Doug Ford in response to the tariff threat from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

In the letter obtained by 680 NewsRadio, Crombie says she entirely agrees with Premier Ford’s handling of the situation, but she wants to see a “multi-party task force” to “transparently discuss Ontario’s approach and response to the tariff threat and present a united front to the people of Ontario.”

Crombie also asked Ford to put off any plans for an early election until June 2026 to prevent any “further disruptions and instability” and to recall the legislature on Jan. 10.

The Ontario Liberal leader addressed Ford directly, writing, “In recent days, you have made the case for stability in our province as we face this very real threat to our shared growth and prosperity. I agree.”

“The people of Ontario are looking for certainty and stability,” she added. “They are looking for all politicians to work together in their best interest to resolve this issue.”

Ford, who has been a vocal opponent of Trump‘s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States, quickly dismissed Crombie’s idea.

“Bonnie Crombie was just a few days ago… she said we should call an election. Now she’s flipped back the other way,” said Ford on Friday. “I don’t think it’s in the best interest of Ontarians when you have someone flip-flopping back and forth.”

The premier has also threatened retaliatory tariffs and even suggested Ontario could cut off electricity exports to three U.S. states if they proceed while spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on television advertisements in the United States to outline Ontario’s position and explain what’s at stake.

Crombie’s request for the premier to commit to the fixed election date of June 2026 is a departure from what Crombie told 680 NewsRadio just last week, when on Dec. 12, she said, “Of course, I want an election, I want to give people an option, a choice.”

Premier Ford has repeatedly refused to rule out an early election next year despite Ontario having a fixed election law on the books that states the vote be held on the first Thursday in October every four years.

Crombie says she will make the same requests to the other opposition leaders.