Let’s face it: Ontario wasn’t prepared for U.S. President Donald Trump. The threat of 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports potentially starting Feb. 1 threatens 500,000 jobs in this province, and it has the potential to devastate an economy that’s already on thin ice. The solution is obvious. We need urgency and action — not a snap election.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called an early and unnecessary election on the eve of these tariffs. It is a cynical, self-interested move that will inevitably hurt the people of Ontario. Our province faces an economic assault, and Doug Ford is only interested in saving himself. We need to be working with Team Canada to plan a robust economic stimulus, attract investment and strike back at Donald Trump just as hard as he strikes us.