Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday he’s ripping up a contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink internet services in response to Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canada.
“We’ll be ripping up the province’s contract with Starlink. Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy,” Ford wrote in a post on social media.
Ford signed a $100-million Canadian (US$68 million) deal with Musk’s company in November to deliver high-speed internet to remote residents in rural and northern Ontario, according to the Associated Press.
Ford’s office also said the government is banning other American companies from provincial contracts going forward.
“Every year, the Ontario government and its agencies spend $30 billion on procurement, alongside our $200 billion plan to build Ontario,” Ford wrote. “U.S.-based businesses will now lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues. They only have President Trump to blame.”
The move comes after Trump announced that, starting Tuesday, all Canadian and Mexican goods will be subject to a 25 percent tariff. Canadian oil, natural gas and electricity will be taxed at 10 per cent.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will impose immediate tariffs on $30-billion worth of goods, followed by further tariffs on $125 billion worth of American products in 21 days.
“Canada didn’t start this fight with the U.S., but you better believe we’re ready to win it,” said Ford.
