Premier Doug Ford, who signalled he needs a mandate to keep Ontario’s economy afloat after U.S. tariffs hit, is looking at sending voters to the polls on Feb. 27 or March 6.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's apparent decision to delay imposing tariffs on Canadian goods, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday he believes a trade war is coming — and that he needs a "clear mandate" from voters to wage it.

According to an internal memo, the Ford government appears ready to dissolve the Ontario legislature and call an early election, using Trump's tariffs as the justification.

Trump retook the Oval Office on Monday afternoon and has long threatened to introduce a 25% tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports, unless both countries secure their borders against illegal migrants and drugs, on the first day of his administration.

The premiers’ Council of the Federation, of which Ford is currently the rotating chair, will sit down with Justin Trudeau to hash out what the country will do to counter Trump’s tariff vow

Premier Doug Ford is proposing a closer relationship with the U.S. when it comes to critical minerals while at the same time boasting that the province won’t “roll over” should president-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threatened tariffs upon taking office next week.