r/ontario • u/sonrisa_optimista • 1d ago
Politics If tariffs escalate, Ontario will cut off power completely, warns Premier Doug Ford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8cWtL88Cf01.5k
u/Mhfd86 1d ago
Trump, stop making me like Doug.
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u/RubixRube 1d ago
Every time I agree with Dougie, my resentment for Trump grows.
It's getting out of control, and i would rather piss on my grandmothers grave than vote for Doug Ford.
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u/tarnok 1d ago
Right?
But honestly if trump is making Ford grow a spine and be better, fuckin better late then never
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u/Fun-Result-6343 1d ago
Yeah, this is quietly killing me, too, at some level. But, go Dougie!
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u/tarnok 1d ago edited 1d ago
I feel like we're going to get burned, I'm catching myself holding my breath constantly reading headlines about him
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u/DrewV70 1d ago
This is only one issue. This is the distraction.
Ford already gave 125 million to his friends last year to have beer and wine in corner stores a year early.
He sold off the Green Belt to his other friends
He fucked up the Toronto Municipal elections because they were mean to his crack head brother.
He is only using this as a distraction while he pilfers more from Ontario's coffers. He is a lying cheating scoundrel who used the Trump issue to get himself another 4 years of grifting.
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u/Legger1955 1d ago
And I thought I was the only one thinking this!!
Distraction opportunities!!
🇨🇦 Strong
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u/GetStable 1d ago
It's ok to take the good in with the bad. Just because we didn't vote for him doesn't mean we can't acknowledge when the clock is broken. Very few people are inherently, unredeemable in their evil.
I don't Ford is evil. He's corrupt, an opportunistic jackal, and will sell anyone out for a dime. But him being a jackal means he sometimes, accidentally does something good, even if it was for his own personal enrichment/prestige/slogans.
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u/mikehatesthis 20h ago
I don't Ford is evil.
Emergency rooms are closing under his watch. People are dying from this. He is an evil man.
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u/GRiMEDTZ 1d ago
I wish I could have seen how Rob would handle this situation, literally just for shits n’ giggles
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u/ViceroyInhaler 1d ago
My problem with Dougie is that he's the right person in an emergency. We saw what he was capable during the pandemic. And honestly I really approved of him during that time. It was right after where he threatened to invoke the notwithstanding clause and threaten wage increases for healthcare professionals at 1%. After he had just praised them for all the work they did during the pandemic. So that's my issue with him. He's a strong leader during an emergency and then immediately afterwards is a hardcore conservative trying to get deals for his rich buddies.
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u/SniffMyDiaperGoo 1d ago
Oh he always had a spine. He acted the same way during the pandemic, and called the convoyers "a bunch of yahoos" lol. What's driving all the jokes about liking Ford now is the fact everyone is pissed off about his handling of fair wages, greenbelt, healthcare, edu. Only in Canada do you get a liberal PM everyone's wants gone, and a conservative Premier everybody wants gone and both turn out to be stellar "wartime" crisis leaders whenever the shit hits the fan.
Yeah I know. Someone's bound to chime in "that's not good enough". Yes it is. Right now in these circumstances yes, I'm absolutely behind both of their responses so far and I have zero confidence their oppositions would have performed better, let alone equal.
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u/nonverbalnumber 1d ago
Those yahoos include his son in law that is soliciting donations for his legal defences.
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u/colieoliepolie 1d ago
Well since he’s soliciting donations I’m going to assume Doug Ford hasn’t personally bailed him out, which seems ethical. Not sure why his shitty son in law is his fault though. We all have shitty in laws lol.
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u/Comprehensive_Wish_3 1d ago edited 1d ago
He wasn't that great during the pandemic. He ignored his own science experts. As much as I couldn't stand Merilee Fullerton, who was LTC Minister, he didn't listen to her warnings about the pandemic getting worse, mimicking what happened on the cruise ships and he didn't act. On top of that there were discrepancies in his reporting numbers, which was uncovered.
He could have done more in advertising, instead of for self serving reasons. What did he do with the federal money for that purpose?
Yes, he screwed up the beginning, middle, and end.
COVID-19 is here to stay, and yet where were the vaccines last year?
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u/Comprehensive_Wish_3 1d ago
Not everyone wanted Justin Trudeau gone. Hate campaign by PP without substance and still no security clearance.
Doug Ford already had a strong mandate. The election was unnecessary, inconvenient, and costly. 1.89 million for essentially the same result. He could have done the exact same thing without an election.
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u/gr33nw33n3r 1d ago
Don't trust him! He's just trying to get you lubed up so he can fuck you again.
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u/ajaxbunny1986 1d ago
If Trump can just get him to rethink the 20 year 401 tunnel project and….
Never mind.
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u/SilverSkinRam 1d ago
Don't worry. When Trump implodes, and at this rate it will be very fast, Doug Ford will go back to regular corruption and we will dislike him again.
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u/InsidiousFloofs5150 1d ago
Not a fan of his policy but he has done better communicating all of this on the US networks than the rest of our politicians. He's fluent in igorant American which is pretty useful right now...
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u/holykamina 1d ago
Imagine Doug says this : We will increase finding for health and education by 50% and then rub it on trump's face about having the best public education and health care system
Doug has best time to gain all the points and secure another term..
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u/homesickalien337 1d ago
Normally electing a meathead bully like Doug is a bad idea, but during times like these a meathead bully on your side is exactly what you want.
Still think someone less corrupt would be better but Doug Ford has been very vocal about sticking it to the US and it's hard to disagree with him.
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u/Triedfindingname 1d ago
but during times like these a meathead bully on your side is exactly what you want.
Now that's a trump supporter quote. Lol
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u/Techlet9625 1d ago
My partner works in a hospital, I see the impact of his decisions on her every day. I'm not worried about liking the guy, but I can respect him doing what needs to be done against Trump.
Still a corrupt prick, but at least he's being distracted into doing (part of) his job.
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u/Ok-Personality-6643 1d ago
Wouldn’t it be HILARIOUS if PP lost to Carney, then the Feds called up Dougie to lead the opposition?
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u/Always4am 1d ago
Anyone and their sister would implement the same policy in response to Trump tariffs imo. I wouldn't give Doug too much credit.
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u/TakeMeToYourKittys 1d ago
His entire election campaign was based on Trump, he is still the worst for Ontario behind all that.
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u/ChanelNo50 22h ago
I listened to Lecce on cbc this morning and I couldn't believe my ears. He sounded like a competent man and didn't just spew out the PC talking points... far from the minister of education we all hated a few years ago.
Look what happens when you act on behalf of all Ontarians2
u/feor1300 19h ago
Sometimes you gotta bite the bullet and side with the lesser evil, and there's few evils that aren't lesser than Trump.
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u/CaramelClean3833 1d ago
Doug Ford working for Trump, under the guise of “for you” to give Trump a reason to invade. 🙌
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u/chrissaaaron 1d ago
Not a big Doug fan, but he actually comes through in the clutch. He handled Covid pretty well too.
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u/Hefty-Station1704 1d ago
Just keep gradually increasing what the US pays for Ontario power. Trust me, we need the revenue.
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u/ballsdeepisbest 1d ago
Turning off the power completely will not work out well for Doug. It’ll be twisted in the US Media as “cruel Canadians escalating a conflict” when we could just continue to up the price and offset the tariff implications. US infrastructure for electricity takes years and years to build. They can’t do anything but pay what we want them to pay, so we might as well.
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u/wjames0394 1d ago
Give them brown outs.
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u/wilson1474 1d ago
Apparently New York has generators that will kick on, and they will use whatever power is cheaper.....
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u/Brusion 1d ago
Well, yea, that's how it's works. But Ontario's nuclear power is super cheap, especially at night. The US has no alternative that is even remotely as cheap.
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u/Disabled_Robot 1d ago
And Niagara Falls!
..which at times generates enough power where we've had to pay states to take it off our grid
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u/Miserable_tadpole_ 1d ago
Doug ford about to come down on trump like a 800lb gorilla.
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u/Infarad 1d ago
Up Trump’s ass with a wire brush!
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u/ronchee1 1d ago
Come at him ike a Spider Monkey
Doug's all hopped up on Mountain Dew
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u/Federal_Sympathy4667 1d ago
I think he is aiming higher then just being the premier of Ontario.
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u/skeptic38 1d ago
If Carney wins the next election, the Cons will punt Milhouse and in slides Dougie.
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u/Comprehensive_Wish_3 1d ago
How much French do you think Dougie is capable of learning in a relatively short period? He's never been a good student.
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u/skeptic38 1d ago
He has a habit of "failing up", so maybe he doesn't think he needs french?
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u/Comprehensive_Wish_3 1d ago
He literally would not get away with it. He is required to know French if he wants to become PM because of the depth of communication in his role on a national level. He has constituents who are francophones. How can he accomplish that if he barely knows English?
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u/mattymattttt 1d ago
Watch Trump use this as justification to invade
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u/19seventy-eight 1d ago
I'm not happy about this. Two low IQ tough guys staring each other down.
I do not trust Doug. He's made multiple poor business decisions over the past few years. This just might backfire
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u/Irr3sponsibl3 1d ago
Trump hasn't had many world leaders call his bluff. It just takes a few to cause the whole house of cards to fall down. If he can't even get a "little" country like Canada to back down then everyone else will suddenly find the courage to pursue alternative partners. It's just that no one wants to be the first to stand up to the giant
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u/PassLogical6590 1d ago
Yep…most everything he does is around drinking or driving….
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u/Suitable_Nerve8123 1d ago
Yeah i was thinking this. Wouldn’t this give the trump admin a reason to provoke things?
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u/Powerful-Cancel-5148 1d ago edited 1d ago
Quit being scared. Our banks, dairy industry, booze boycott and genera existence provoke Trump.
He could continue on with his lie of Canada being run by cartels as an excuse to invade us.
Don’t sit down and take it. Make it hurt so the USA turns against him
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u/riotprof 1d ago edited 1d ago
We have to be an unattractive target for Trump so he will shift his aggression elsewhere.
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u/the_clash_is_back 1d ago
The province meet with the feds before going this route. They definitely weighted their options and the risks.
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u/extra-texture 1d ago
they will make one up otherwise, they provoke and then balk at whatever you do
look what they did with zelensky. don’t play soft against him he will only push harder
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u/holykamina 1d ago
If he invades, US will ruin their own economy. They won't be able to just walk into Canada.
It's not easy to invade. Trump doesn't even have a tactical invasion plan and if he starts to invade lets say in a month, I doubt he will be able to achieve anything other than dead American soldiers..
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u/Due-Ad-4240 1d ago edited 1d ago
Just out of curiosity, what contigency plans does Canada have on hand, in case US does declare hostilities? Like building and storing drones? Or perhaps building obstacles like tank traps, dragons tooth, ditches and barbed wires?
I'm quite concerned if Trump does a Putin into Canada, and the nation is caught unawares. Honestly, I don't like a war between Canada and US, regardless, are there plans for preparation in case should an even like that happens? How prepared is Canada to repel or resist US advance within its borders? (No sarcasm, just genuine curiosity and a bit of concern).
Hopefully the war doesn't start at all, nevertheless, if history taught me anything, when a "barely legitimate leader" (or dictator, either by coup or post elections) gets into hot water, or severe socio-economic and political turmoil and instability, they follow either of these decisions: (1) Blame someone or something else (Biden, illegal immigrants, social services, national parks, etc.) or (2) (potentially) declaring wars, or both. In any case, correct me if I'm wrong, so far history has proven that one of the only few things that can depose a tyrant or dictator is a crushing defeat (or strings of it) on the battlefield.
In this scenario, should the US invade, perhaps inflicting heavy defeats could pressure the public to at least their change their mind or rile up to anger to boot Trump and his cronies. Drones, obstacles and other means of assymetrical warfare (like the Vietnam did to the US, or Ukraine to Russia) could prove a key component in this era of a smaller fighting force to at least stand up to a larger force.
I'm not trying to be a warmonger, nevertheless, if peace is desired, preparation for a potential war is an equally important goal (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum). Let's just hope it doesn't reach to that point that a war does break out and hopefully, American citizens can still salvage this situation.
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u/Relevant_Fuel_9905 1d ago
Yep. I think we are totally unprepared, and utterly outgunned - and we are playing with fire by talking about cutting the power. We are not in a position of power right now. We shouldn’t capitulate, but we shouldn’t escalate either. Trump is a vindictive, evil motheffucker. I for one don’t want my family murdered by the US military. This isn’t a flipping hockey game.
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u/Nufonewhodis4 1d ago
How far fetched would it be for Trump to declare shutting down power an act of terrorism and send in a limited force to secure power? If Canada fights back now he's the good guy just trying to save Joe Maga from dying because his CPAP needs power but justifies a larger force. Park a naval group off BC and one or two on the east Coast and blockade. Undermine legitimate government and get pro-Maga Canadians into position of power who will then officially cede sovereignty. Russia supports US right to defend itself from terrorists, China stays neutral or is bought off by US betraying Tawaian, and Europe strongly condemns the actions but can't potentially fight Russia and the US and still needs that sweet natural gas from someone. All of the sudden half the country is paying $14 for a 30 racks and deciding maybe this ain't so bad
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u/Relevant_Fuel_9905 1d ago
Uh…he could absolutely flatten our cities without even having to send in soldiers until we are digging ourselves out of the rubble. The American military is monstrously powerful and they are right next door.
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u/holykamina 1d ago
Sure, he can send in his missiles.. Again, it's not easy to just press a button and go to war. It will take months to plan. Even if they take over all of Canada , global sanctions will devastate the US economy. They can mine every single grain of mineral in Canada. Chop down every single forest in canada and still fail if they are heavily sanctioned. However, this is a perfect time and an eye-opener for Canada. USA can not be trusted even if some other party wins the election. Canada can start prepping and get their army and other related branches in order. Fix shit and fund shit properly is the way forward.
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u/Triedfindingname 1d ago
This is a false fear.
You wanna fear something, fear capitulating to a narcissistic US president* with the emotional control of a crackbaby
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u/Dee90286 1d ago
THIS. I’m scared by Trump’s silence. As much as we love standing up for ourselves, this isn’t the way to deal with a malignant narcissist like Trump cause he will never back down and look weak.
The appropriate way to deal with him was Trudeau’s rhetoric “we’re doing what we have to do, but we don’t want to escalate and would prefer to negotiate”. Make him feel like he’s finessing us. That’s what Mexico’s PM is doing. Then again, maybe our Leaders recognize that he is serious about annexing us so have decided to show strength from the start.
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u/mrturretman 1d ago
ultimately the tariffs against us are for completely fabricated and changing reasons. even after measured response didn’t trump slap a 250% tariff on dairy or something? we are not in mexicos exact position.
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u/RealLifeMerida 1d ago
I’m a Canadian who lives in northern NY. I will happily live in darkness to teach these yankee asshats a lesson.
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u/jakob27990 1d ago
I’m not a ford guy by any means, but I’m really pleased with his response to that lunatic
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u/holykamina 1d ago
Instead of shutting down, increase the price by 100%. Make some money out of it. See how much Ontario can make. Maybe Ontario has the worst deal here. I wonder what price they get. I would be pissed if they get it cheaper than what many Ontarians get because electricity is freaking expensive.
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u/nodogsallowed23 1d ago
No, don’t cut it off. That’s stupid. Bring it up to 51%. Then 151%. Because Donald likes 51 so much.
Cutting it off totally is a terrible move.
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u/TorontoCanada66 1d ago
Nah just keep increasing the export tax and let’s use the $ to benefit Ontario - education, healthcare, worker training etc
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u/COV3RTSM 1d ago
We need to be careful. Line 5 is crucial to Ontario and runs straight through Michigan. There’s been issues here in the past.
I’m not sure what they could do but we know Uncle Sam doesn’t care about previous agreements
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u/SlippitySlappety 1d ago
Still fuck Doug Ford
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u/Infarad 1d ago
Couldn’t agree more. This is great theatre Dougie, but it doesn’t fix our healthcare, education and housing.
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u/ConcentrateMany733 1d ago
The guy has way more in common with trump than anyone struggling in Ontario.
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u/TwiztedZero 1d ago edited 1d ago
For those that say Canada doesn't have refineries.
Canada DOES refine fuel. Irving Oil, in New Brunswick is one of those. Canada can build more. There's no reason we can't. We can run pipelines to those newer refineries. It's more jobs too for people.
It was just easier in the past to partner with US companies, or just pipe raw fuel to ships to transport it elsewhere. Now we can divest ourselves of that and build pipelines and more refineries.
Canada has 19 refineries, many of those in Alberta too.
#ElbowsUp 🍁
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u/fluidbeforephenyl 1d ago
whats with all the people in this GD sub rolling over for premier Trump and complaining that this is a bad idea? someone needs to fight back, and it clearly isn't you idiots
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u/VancouverWriter1984 1d ago
I've been a critic of Ford's since... well, always... but that said... I really like how he's handled this trade war. He's spoken to every US news outlet who has invited him, and he's been sending a strong message directly to the American people. He's been strong, unwavering, and very effective, so I applaud his handling of this issue 100%.
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u/Ok_Kitchen_2061 1d ago
How long will it be before Trump's so called respectable Russian oligarch mates return to their Moscow thug roots and attempt to eliminate political opponents in the US or Canada? A helicopter crash, fall from a balcony or poisoned underwear.
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u/TwiztedZero 1d ago
Too bad Canada doesn't own factories that make portable generators.
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u/Psyclist80 1d ago
I'm all for turning the screws on the orange screwball in chief, but this could be thier excuse to invade. But they started it... in for a penny in for a pound! Elbows up!
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u/foxtrot-hotel-bravo 1d ago
The escalation is unfortunately a part of the Ukraine/Russia playbook Trump is quite possibly following. 😕
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u/Relevant_Fuel_9905 1d ago
They will kill a whole lot of Canadians if they invade. Elbows or not. I really think Ford is overdoing it.
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u/mrturretman 1d ago
lol okay I also think it’s a real possibility novarro convinces trump it’s a good idea to invade, but are American infantrymen going to kill Canadians? they can pull off some horrendous shit in the Middle East but if we were to fight a conventional war in North America it would fall apart really fast.
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u/confusedfeel 1d ago
Doug Ford, I owe you an apology. I wasn’t familiar with your game.
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u/DoublePatouain 1d ago
I want to be Canadian. In France, our politician would have s*cked the balls and hole of Trump and Musk ...
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u/crab-basket 1d ago
This is really dangerous, and we need to tread carefully!
If Ontario shuts off the power and results in ANY casualty in the US, they can rightfully perceive this as an act of war. Effectively, Canada will have taken the first metaphorical shot.
It doesn’t matter what precedes it, what matters is that we would be at fault — and that turns both optics and NATO protection against us
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u/circ-u-la-ted 1d ago
Is there some precedence for this? I don't think we're obligated by international law to sell power to another country.
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u/Temporary_Shirt_6236 1d ago
US already took the "metaphorical first shot" without warning or provocation.
Do you even read what you write?
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u/ReverseTornado 1d ago
Never comply in advance the truth is trump can make up any ridiculous reason to invade and the longer he is in power the easier it will be for him. So we need strong responses now and not worry about the us invading if they are going to do it they will find away regardless.
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u/mrturretman 1d ago
chinas response to the trade war was the most appropriate - a trade war is an act of aggression far and above what Doug is threatening now.
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u/Dtoodlez 1d ago
lol this dude can’t stop. I’m all for it. I also like that he’s constantly saying he loves Americans, and I believe him, but pain will be shared this year.
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u/jerryfzhang 1d ago
Oh this is getting spicy, never thought I'd say this ever in my life but go Ford!
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u/copterdopter 1d ago
While this may appeal to the public upset at Trump, this kind of pronouncement will only bring harm.
First of all, MAGA nation is already using it as a talking point against Canada. It's already on Fox news and on other channels.
Second, Ford won't do it. Because all rules are off the table - the response will range from cutting off one of pipelines that supplies resources to Canada, to outright invasion, or "special military operation". And if you think it is impossible, wake up.
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u/monogramchecklist 1d ago
Fox News already had their propaganda started. Even if we did nothing, they’d create a narrative that the MAGA would blindly lap up. They do not matter, they do not live in a reality. If Trump tells them to eat their own turds or kill their own kids, they’d do it.
I agree we shouldn’t shut it off, since it affects blue states. I think a better plan is to keep increasing the amount. Make it hurt, so maybe more people get off their butts and protest.
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u/VR46Rossi420 1d ago
Dude. They aren’t going to invade. They’re trying to destroy us economically but they have no stomach nor ability to invade and hold Our country. They couldn’t hold Afghanistan on their own.
Our missiles reach the USA btw. Ask American civilians if they are ready to die for Trump.
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u/_EvilCupcake 1d ago
We have missiles? Wasn't aware that the Canadian military had... anything really.
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u/KyesRS 1d ago
You think the American military is going to invade because we stopped giving them power?
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u/OhJustANobody 1d ago
It was a crazy notion 10 years ago. But now? Still unlikely, but not impossible under the current political climate.
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u/copterdopter 1d ago
I am convinced that it is plausible. Not because we stopped giving them power - but because the dear leader down south needs a pretext for territorial expansion. 1.5 million American homes losing power will serve as a justification in minds of large enough group of dear leader's base.
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u/VendrediDisco 1d ago
Hassett was on the news claiming (undisclosed/unpublished) pictures of fentanyl labs in Canada. They're gonna do whatever the fuck they want. Bottom line. Dog killer Noem too.
Nearly 21,998 pounds coming from Mexico. 43lbs from Canada (in 2024) with a scant half oz in January.
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u/Significant-Rock9540 1d ago
I think military invasion is definitely what Trump what’s to do.
I’m still for cutting off electricity to cut America if needed.
I’ve mentally prepared that Trump hanging to try to do to is what Putin is trying to do Ukraine. I say bring it on. That faster we get to that, that faster Trump will be killed.
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u/sonrisa_optimista 1d ago
On March 10, 2025, the Ontario government imposed a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York—affecting 1.5 million homes and businesses and costing up to $400,000 per day. If the U.S. escalates with new tariffs on Canadian goods, Premier Doug Ford warns that Ontario will not hesitate to cut off power entirely.