Poilievre Accuses Carney of Approving Controversial Ontario Ads

In a significant political development, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of endorsing advertisements from Ontario that U.S. President Donald Trump claimed halted trade negotiations between Canada and the United States. Poilievre’s comments came shortly after Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed that both Carney and his chief of staff, Marc-Andre Blanchard, were briefed on the ads prior to their release.

Trade Talks on Hold After Ad Controversy

During a press conference, Poilievre intensified his scrutiny of Carney, asserting that the Prime Minister must “come clean” regarding his involvement with the controversial advertisement campaign. “He claims he was on the verge of getting a deal, then he approved the ad, and blamed it for the lack of agreement,” Poilievre stated. He refrained from commenting specifically on whether Ford should have withdrawn the ads sooner, but noted that provincial leaders are stepping in to address the void left by Carney’s administration.

As Carney embarks on a nine-day trip to Asia, the fallout from Trump’s statements on social media has intensified. Trump cited the advertisements as a reason for suspending trade talks with Canada, a decision that has sparked considerable concern among Canadian officials.

According to a report from CBC News, which cited a senior federal official, the Canadian government was not involved in creating or distributing the ads. The Ontario government’s campaign, which cost $75 million, began airing two weeks ago and featured both 30-second and 60-second versions during high-profile events, such as the Major League Baseball championship series.

Content of the Ads and Political Reactions

The advertisements included a soundbite from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan‘s 1987 radio address, warning about the dangers of high tariffs and their potential to trigger trade wars. In response, Trump shared excerpts from Reagan’s speech on his platform, highlighting that significant portions of the message were omitted in the version used by Ontario.

Following the backlash, Ford announced that the province would cease airing the ads at Carney’s request, although they had already been broadcast during two World Series games. Ford described the outcome as “mission accomplished,” given the level of discussion generated in the U.S. regarding the ongoing trade tensions.

Ford clarified that he did not intend to provoke the U.S. President but aimed to inform American audiences about the impacts of the trade tariffs imposed by Trump on Canadian goods. The Ontario Premier also indicated that the discussions surrounding the trade deal had primarily focused on the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, with little attention given to the auto sector.

Other provincial leaders have expressed their intentions to take action as well. British Columbia’s NDP Premier David Eby announced plans to launch ads addressing the effects of U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed Ontario’s decision to withdraw its advertisements, emphasizing the need for caution in dealing with an unpredictable U.S. administration.

As trade negotiations remain stalled, Canada continues to assert its readiness to re-engage with U.S. officials. Carney has previously indicated that discussions were close to fruition before Trump’s abrupt termination of talks.

The political landscape continues to shift as the implications of these advertisements and subsequent trade discussions unfold, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for Canada-U.S. relations.