Ontario NDP pledges grocery rebate as PC leader Ford touts border security measures

By Canadian Press on February 8, 2025.

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is touting his party’s border security measures amid the threat of U.S. tariffs, as the NDP focuses on pocketbook issues with the promise of a monthly grocery rebate for millions of people.

Ford says Operation Deterrence, announced last month as part of Ontario’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, has so far intercepted eight illegal border crossings and led to the seizure of 21 illegal firearms.

Trump has been threatening to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods unless Canada improves security at the border and Ford says he is gearing up for a battle for the future of Ontario’s economy.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles says affordability is top of mind for Ontarians and that’s why an NDP government would introduce a monthly grocery rebate for lower and middle-income households.

Stiles says up to four million households would benefit from the program and a family of four could get up to $122 per month to help offset the cost of groceries.

The snap election Ford called will be held on Feb. 27.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2025.

Sonja Puzic, The Canadian Press