National

How it started, how it ended: A chronology of Ontario's ad blitz against U.S. tariffs

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Nov, 2025 02:14 PM

Here is a day-by-day chronology of the controversy over Ontario's advertising campaign against U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods:

Tues., Oct. 14: The office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the province will spend $75 million to broadcast an anti-tariff ad in the United States using video of an address by former U.S. president Ronald Reagan, who said in 1987 that in the long run, "such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer."

Tues., Oct. 21: A day after the ad airs during a broadcast of a baseball playoff game won by the Toronto Blue Jays, U.S. President Donald Trump says he saw the commercial, adding "if I was Canada I'd take that same ad also."

Thu., Oct. 23: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute says the ad misrepresents Reagan's remarks and that Ontario did not seek or receive permission to "use and edit the remarks."

Trump says he is ending trade negotiations with Canada over the commercial.

The ad isn't a "fake" as Trump claims, but Reagan's quotes are spliced together from different sections of the original speech.

Ford's office defends the ad.

Fri., Oct. 24: Trump accuses Canada of "cheating" by saying that Reagan did not like tariffs, which Trump claims the late president "loved."

David McLaughlin and Geoff Norquay, who worked as senior policy advisers for former prime minister Brian Mulroney, say the ad did not misconstrue Reagan's views on trade.

Ford says his government will pull the ad after the weekend, though it's still set to run during the first two games of the World Series.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew encourages Ford to keep the ad campaign going, saying Trump's tariffs betray Reagan's legacy.

Sat., Oct. 25: Trump says the U.S. will impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on Canadian goods because Ontario didn't immediately pull down the ad.

Mon., Oct. 27: Ford vows he will "never apologize" for pushing back against hostile trade measures designed to poach jobs from his province.

Fri., Oct. 31: Trump says Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized for the ad but the U.S. president adds that trade talks are not resuming.

Sat., Nov. 1: Carney confirms he apologized to Trump and says he told Ford he didn't think the province should run the ad campaign.

Sun., Nov. 2: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the ad amounted to foreign interference in American public policy.

Mon., Nov. 3: Ford says Carney called him "a couple of times" from a trip to Asia to ask him to pull the ad campaign.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Trudeau says U.S. tariffs on Canada will be paused for 30 days

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says "proposed tariffs" between Canada and the United States will be paused for at least 30 days while the countries work together on the border.

Trudeau says U.S. tariffs on Canada will be paused for 30 days

Canada's forestry sector faces uncertainty with 25 per cent U.S. tariffs

A wide shadow of uncertainty has been cast over Canada's forestry sector by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25-per-cent tariff on its lumber products. Several industry groups have released statements criticizing the tariff as unnecessary and harmful for both sides, a sentiment echoed by British Columbia Premier David Eby who vows full support for the provincial sector.

Canada's forestry sector faces uncertainty with 25 per cent U.S. tariffs

Trump mistaken, U.S. banks can and do operate in Canada says finance professor

A finance professor at the University of Toronto says American banks do operate in Canada despite assertions by U.S. President Donald Trump that they are not allowed to do business in the country. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions lists Amex Bank of Canada, Citibank Canada and J.P. Morgan Bank Canada on Schedule II, all having U.S. parent companies.

Trump mistaken, U.S. banks can and do operate in Canada says finance professor

B.C. critical minerals being diverted away from United States: David Eby

Companies in British Columbia are in the process of redirecting critical minerals and energy products to markets outside the United States, Premier David Eby said, as the reality of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs sets in. Eby noted B.C. has opened new trade offices in Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines over the last 18 months.

B.C. critical minerals being diverted away from United States: David Eby

Winter's first widespread snowfall hits Metro Vancouver, with more on the way

The first widespread snowfall of winter has hit Metro Vancouver, with Environment Canada warning the ongoing wintry blast could eventually bring up to 25 centimetres to start off a frigid week. The weather agency says in a snowfall warning for the region that "intense flurries" could bring heavy accumulation and cut visibility on roads.

Winter's first widespread snowfall hits Metro Vancouver, with more on the way

BC politicians react to Cdn US tariffs

BC politicians are calling on the premier to do more as the province prepares to face U-S tariffs on Canadian goods. City of Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says she wrote to David Eby yesterday urging him to roll out a comprehensive relief package, similar to what was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, to support businesses and families.