Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants stricter border control with U.S.: 'The threat is serious'

Conservative Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged additional funding to the Canada Border Services Agency to lock down the U.S.' northern border.

Ford addressed the media Tuesday at Queen's Park in Toronto about President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods, according to the CBC. He called the tariff plan "the biggest threat we've ever seen," comparing it to "a family member stabbing you right in the heart."

Since Trump proposed the tariff, the Canadian dollar fell to the lowest level since 2020, according to the Toronto Star.

READ MORE: Rather Than Pay News Orgs, Facebook Bans Article Sharing in Canada

Trump posted about his plan Monday evening on Truth Social.

"As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before," Trump wrote in part. "Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!"

Ford appeared to agree that border security was an issue, saying that guns and drugs were flowing into Canada from the United States.

“We need to give the resources to (the Canada Border Services Agency), which are fine people, and I know, talking to other premiers last night, that we will do everything we can as provincial governments and territorial governments to secure our borders,” Ford said, according to the Toronto Star.

Ford is a member of the center-right Progressive Conservative Party, and had previously praised Donald Trump. In 2018, he endorsed Trump's presidency, and said he had "unwavering" support for the then-leader according to Toronto CityNews. Earlier this month, Ford congratulated Trump and even downplayed concerns that he would levy tariffs against Canadian goods, according to Global News.

“He tried that last time and that didn’t last too long — it lasted about four weeks,” Ford said.

Like Trump, Ford is a controversial figure. He's been accused of hiring family friends as police commissioners and high-paid consultants. In 2018, Ford reverted Ontario's sex ed curriculum to 1998 standards, removing material about sexual orientation and gender identity. He's also been accused of racism.

Ford is the brother of the late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who was the target of international disdain after a video of him smoking crack cocaine went viral.