Anthony Leardi is campaigning to keep his job and threatened tariffs coming from the United States is the main thing he is hearing at the door.
Leardi, the Progressive Conservative candidate for the riding of Essex, was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in the 2022 election. The incumbent candidate said tariffs are the biggest issue he is hearing when out campaigning.
“There is absolutely one overriding issue in this campaign that is dominating,” said Leardi. “It’s the trade war between Canada and (U.S. President) Donald Trump.”
Leardi said it is his leader and his party that will do what it takes to protect Ontarians. He said incumbent Premier Doug Ford, the PC leader, is the one that will preserve the province’s interests.
“We’re going to protect Ontario. We’re going to match strength for strength. We’re going to get through this,” said Leardi. “We need a strong mandate for the Province of Ontario so that Donald Trump knows Doug Ford is going to be around longer than Donald Trump.”
The proposed tariffs have been delayed for a month, per an announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with stronger security measures to be taken along the Canada-United States border. Leardi was pleased to hear there were more talks planned, and touted Ford and his planned measures to stand up for Ontario.
Two of those measures were to pull American products from LCBO shelves and to ban American companies from provincial procurement for as long as tariffs are in place, should they go into place at some point. Retaliatory moves by the Ontario government would translate into a $1 billion loss to red states in the U.S., Leardi told the River Town Times Monday afternoon.
Getting back to the negotiation table is the way to go, he believed.
“I’m glad there are more talks,” said Leardi. “No one wants a tariff war. Let’s all get back to the negotiation table.”
Leardi said his government are “not going to let anyone push us around” but noted they are willing to work with anyone. He said the Ford Government has reached across party lines and are willing to negotiate with anyone to further the interests of Ontarians. He said deals have been made in New Jersey and Ohio for the benefit of Ontario.
Beyond the tariff issue, Leardi said the Progressive Conservatives will continue to put a focus on skilled trades.
“There are so many people benefitting from that,” he said.
The PC’s will continue to build hospitals, highways, housing infrastructure and schools, the PC incumbent added.
“Those are multi-billion projects,” said Leardi. “If Americans want a piece of the action, we’re going to have to start at the negotiation table.”
Getting it done through bargaining at the table is what Leardi said he is hearing from people at the doorstep.
“We have to show strength.”
There was no known Liberal candidate in Essex as of press time, something not lost on Leardi.
“So far, it appears I’m not running against anyone,” he said.
As for NDP candidate Rachael Mills, “I don’t know who that person is.”
Leardi added they are taking nothing for granted.
“We keep working hard. We are going to work hard, work hard and keep working hard,” he said.
Tariffs top of mind for voters, says PC incumbent
By Ron Giofu
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