Ontario Premier Doug Ford is urging the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, to apologize to Ontario’s trade representative in Washington, David Paterson, after reports surfaced that Hoekstra shouted at Paterson over an Ontario government ad criticizing American trade tariffs.
Multiple sources familiar with the exchange told The Canadian Press that the confrontation occurred Monday at an event in Ottawa, where Hoekstra allegedly launched into a profanity-laced tirade over the ad campaign. Ford acknowledged that tempers sometimes flare in politics but said Hoekstra should call Paterson and make amends.
“It’s unbecoming of an ambassador,” Ford said. “I’ve never heard of anything like this in my life. But Pete’s a different type of cat — and I guess he thinks I am too. So Pete, do the right thing. Give the guy a call. Let’s move on.”
The ad at the centre of the dispute featured clips of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan arguing that tariffs hurt both countries. It aired during the World Series before being pulled after U.S. President Donald Trump called it a “hostile act” and subsequently threatened to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on Canadian goods.
Ford insisted his goal was not to antagonize Trump but to spark a conversation about how tariffs ultimately harm American workers and businesses. “It wasn’t about poking the president in the eye,” Ford said. “It was about encouraging both nations to embrace what’s made us great — free and fair trade.”
In a letter published in The Wall Street Journal, Ford defended his position, writing: “Together, the U.S. and Canada can usher in a new century of shared economic prosperity by dropping tariffs, rejecting protectionism, and promoting free trade.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in Malaysia earlier this week, confirmed that prior to the controversy, Canada and the U.S. had been close to finalizing a trade deal. “Everything changed from the president’s perspective when the ads started running,” Carney said.
Despite the diplomatic tension, Ford tried to inject a bit of humour into the situation, noting a lighthearted bet he has with Hoekstra over baseball. “If the Jays win the World Series, he has to wear a Jays jersey in Ottawa — and honestly, he’d probably be more popular for it,” Ford joked. “If they lose — which they won’t — I’ll wear a Dodgers jersey. So if Pete wants to yell, he can call me. I can go with the best of them.”