Stiles unveils plan to defend workers, fight back, and build a more tariff-proof Ontario

OSHAWA – Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles vowed to strengthen Ontario’s economy in the face of Trump’s tariffs alongside NDP’s Oshawa candidate Jennifer French. Stiles’ plan will defend jobs, fight back and build a resilient, more tariff-proof Ontario.

“People are worried about what the future holds, if they’ll lose their job or struggle to put food on the table,” said Stiles. “As Premier, I will defend every single job in the province, I will fight back as part of a strong Team Canada, and I’ll get to work building a more tariff-proof Ontario that can withstand any crisis for generations to come.”

An Ontario NDP government will:

Defend jobs and people:

• Partner with Ontario employers and unions to protect jobs now;
• Work with trade-exposed industries, like the auto industry, to provide direct support, creating new supply chains, and finding new export markets for their goods in Canada and abroad;
• Support the auto sector to bridge any interruption in production and preserve Canadian auto jobs.
• Promote interprovincial cooperation and break down trade barriers;
• Launch a Buy Ontario campaign to promote Ontario goods;
• Direct Ontario government-funded agencies to procure locally;
• Negotiate a joint federal-provincial income assistance program to support people whose livelihoods are impacted by tariffs;

Fight Back:

• Fight back with a Team Canada approach that doesn’t give into division;
• Support Canada’s tariff response.

Build a tariff-proof Ontario:

• Create a Premier’s Task Force on the Economy with business, labour and civil society;
• Continue working with trade-exposed industries to creating and maintain new supply chains and new export markets;
• Invest in retraining opportunities in post-secondary and the skilled trades;
• Accelerate infrastructure projects (transit, school repair, home building) to keep people working;
• Support farmers by removing the cap from the Risk Management Program.

“For seven years, Ford has failed on the cost of living, housing, education, healthcare and more. Doug Ford didn’t create this crisis, Donald Trump did. But Ford’s failures and bad deals have left Ontario’s economy weaker, and the families who live here vulnerable. We need to make Ontario stronger and more resilient so we can withstand this crisis and move beyond it.”

Together, we can protect workers, fight back and build a more tariff-proof Ontario full of opportunity. It’s time for a premier and a government on your side.”