Ford calls for political 'stability' in statement on Trudeau's decision to step down

Ontario Premier Doug Ford weighed in on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to resign as federal Liberal leader on Monday, issuing a statement that did not mention Trudeau by name nor reference his intention to step down.

Instead, Ford focused on the threat by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods heading south of the border and the need for political stability in Ottawa.

"In two weeks, the president-elect will be sworn in as America's next president and will have every opportunity to make his threats real," Ford said.

"Between now and then, the federal government needs to do everything humanly possible to avoid these tariffs, including by doing more to secure our border and offering a credible plan to invest more in Canada's military to meet and exceed our NATO spending commitments."

Ford echoed those comments at a news conference Monday afternoon, saying that he is "100 per cent focused on the tariffs," adding that Canada would need to "retaliate" and "retaliate hard" if they were to be introduced.

"It would hurt American jobs and it would hurt Canadian jobs," Ford said.

The premier also said that in the coming weeks, Trudeau's focus should be on the prospect of tariffs and not on the federal Liberal party itself.

Later on Monday, in a letter to the prime minister, Ford asked for an in-person first ministers' meeting during the week of Jan. 13 to discuss a united approach to U.S.-Canada relations in light of possible U.S. tariffs.

"It has never been more important that Canada demonstrate stability, strength and unity," Ford wrote.

Ford said a "united Team Canada approach to U.S. relations" will ensure the country can respond quickly and in a coordinated way.

At a news conference Monday morning, Trudeau said he would resign his office once a successor has been chosen by the party. Trudeau also said he asked Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March 24, and she granted the request.

"This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it's become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election," he told reporters.

Trudeau had been under mounting pressure to step down amid sinking public opinion polls and calls for him to resign from factions within his own Liberal caucus. 

It's not clear if or when voters may head to the polls in a federal election ahead of the fixed date in October. But both the Conservatives and NDP have said they will vote to bring down the government when the opportunity arises.