Ontario Premier Doug Ford made a campaign stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake Saturday, promising increased border security, funding for the Shaw Festival and receiving an endorsement from a town councillor.
Ford held a press conference at the Niagara District Airport, where he promised investments designed to boost tourism in Niagara-on-the-Lake and detailing Ontario’s aggressive border security measures in response to Trump’s tariff threat.
Among the investments to increase border security, Ford announced two additional H-135 helicopters to support Niagara Regional Police and Windsor’s police force in increasing border patrols.
Several Niagara region politicians showed up to support the premier, including Niagara Falls riding PC candidate Ruth‑Ann Nieuwesteeg, Niagara Falls mayor Jim Diodati, NOTL Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa and Deputy Lord Mayor Erwin Wiens.
All endorsed Ford except Zalepa, who told Niagara Now, “I wanted to thank him for all the support, but I really don’t think it’s the job of the mayor to endorse candidates. I think that’s up to residents to decide.”
Zalepa emphasized the province has been a strong friend of Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake.
After introducing Ford at the conference, Weins offered his endorsement.
“We look forward to a continued strong relationship that will move Niagara-on-the-Lake further down the road. We are in talks for a $35 million investment in the Shaw, investment in the airport and assistance in heritage preservation,” said Wiens.
Diodati echoed the sentiment, enthusiastically endorsing Ford and praising Ontario’s $3.6 billion investment in the South Niagara hospital, support for the GO Train and local wineries.
Speaking amid a backdrop of private aircraft, Ford reinforced that Ontario is ready to confront economic risk —including the temporarily postponed yet lingering threat of U.S. tariffs — with decisive action.
“The simple truth is, as long as Donald Trump is president, the risk of tariffs will never go away,” Ford said.
Ford disagreed with Trump’s rationale for the tariffs which equates Canada and Mexico’s shared responsibility for preventing illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking. According to Ford, Canada represents only “0.001 per cent of fentanyl that goes into the U.S. compared to Mexico,” though he maintained that even that is too much.
Ford spotlighted his government’s “Operation Deterrence,” an initiative aimed at preventing illegal border crossings and drug trafficking, unveiled last month in response to Trump’s threats.
“Two hundred dedicated OPP officers have already conducted 10,000 hours of focused patrol to detect, disrupt and deter illegal cross-border activity. We’ve already seen real tangible results,” said Ford.
So far, Operation Deterrence has intercepted eight illegal border crossers, seized 21 illegal firearms, and 624 kilograms of cocaine.
Ford called on Trudeau to meet Trump’s demands and appoint a “fentanyl czar” as negotiated by the Prime Minister and U.S. President to avoid 25 per cent tariffs.
Niagara District Airport CEO Dan Pilon and chair Greg Wight celebrated the provincial government’s commitment to investing in the terminal.
“We think that the airport has certainly a bigger role to play in growing tourism, and certainly within Niagara, and as part of Ontario,” said Pilon.
Niagara Now asked the premier about his remarks on turning Niagara into the “Las Vegas of the North,” Ford explained that the only way to fund these aforementioned investments is by boosting tourism — much like the model in Las Vegas.
Watch the full news conference here.
