Cheers and jeers

How Ford's Trump talk is playing out on home turf

ABOVE THE FOLD

HIT OR MISS — For better or worse, DOUG FORD’s Trump talk south of the border is getting plenty of attention on home turf.

Ford has been making the media rounds stateside, talking about the impact of the brewing tariff war on both countries, and pumping himself as a steady hand amid the political uncertainty in Ottawa. On CNN this week, he said he wants to sit down and talk trade with incoming U.S. President DONALD TRUMP “businessman to businessman.”

While Trump has shrugged off Ford’s threat to cut off the electricity in key states in retaliation to a possible 25-per-cent levy on Canadian goods — closer to home, the Premier’s media blitz is getting mixed reviews.

Liberal MPP ADIL SHAMJI accused Ford of “showboating” on American TV and said the Premier should be focused on provincial matters, pointing to the latest CMHC report that shows housing starts cratering in November.

“Doug Ford isn’t building, and he isn’t making housing more affordable. He’s on CNN promoting him…