Ontario Leader Threatens To Cut Off Energy To Three U.S. States

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, told reporters that he would impose a 25% surcharge on energy exports to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Ontario is Canada’s second-largest energy producer, with most of its power coming from uranium. I Photo: Andrew Scheer Flickr

He also warned that Ontario might restrict electricity exports in the future if U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods persist. Ford repeatedly placed the blame on former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Kinsey Crowley of USA Today.

"A tariff on Canada is a tax on Americans," Ford said at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention.

"I will do everything, including cutting off their energy—with a smile on my face. And I encourage every other province to do the same."

Ontario is Canada’s second-largest energy producer, with most of its power coming from uranium. The province has electricity interconnections with Manitoba and Quebec, as well as three U.S. states: Michigan, Minnesota, and New York.

Most of Ontario's energy imports come from Quebec, while most of its exports go to New York and Michigan, according to the Canada Energy Regulator.

Canada and the U.S. have maintained a mostly tariff-free trade relationship for decades.

However, while most Canadian imports are now subject to a 25% U.S. tariff, energy is taxed at 10%.

Recently, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would retaliate with 25% tariffs on $20.7 billion worth of U.S. imports, effective immediately. If Trump’s tariffs remain in place for three more weeks, Canada's countermeasures will escalate to $86.2 billion in tariffs.

Ford expressed his support for Trudeau’s response, announcing additional measures against U.S. businesses.

He declared that Ontario would remove American alcohol products from distribution and cancel the province’s contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink.

"There’s going to be unemployment, inflation is going to rise, and it’s going to hurt the American people," Ford said. "You need to speak up against Donald Trump and speak up for your people. That’s what we do here in Canada."