Ontario Premier Doug Ford is sending a message that should not be ignored: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre needs to work with Prime Minister Mark Carney, not against him.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Carney in Ottawa last week, Ford praised the new prime minister’s performance and urged the opposition leader to put aside “political stripes” for the sake of the country. His words were not offhand they were a deliberate rebuke to Poilievre, whose relations with Ford have been icy since the disastrous April 28 federal election.
“Work with the prime minister. It’s Team Canada,” Ford said, underscoring the kind of pragmatism Canadians often wish they saw more of in their politics.
For Ford, the priority is clear: building up the economy, securing trade, and keeping Ontario competitive in a volatile world. He talked about lowering taxes, cutting red tape, and strengthening Canada’s position ahead of the 2026 renewal of the USMCA trade pact. Even as U.S. tariffs creep higher and Donald Trump looms unpredictably over trade negotiations, Ford is focused on cooperation, not confrontation.
Contrast that with Poilievre, who has spent months licking his wounds after losing his Carleton seat and only now is staging a return to the House through a safe Alberta riding. His campaign, accused of “malpractice” by Ford’s own strategist Kory Teneycke, squandered a huge lead in the polls. Ford’s people believe the federal Conservatives bungled the election and they’ve been unafraid to say it out loud.
So when Ford praises Carney as doing a “really, really good job,” it isn’t just flattery. It’s also a reminder to Poilievre that obstruction and partisanship won’t cut it, not with the stakes this high.
Poilievre has signaled he’ll support the government on issues in the national interest, but his silence on Ford speaks volumes. Meanwhile, Ford’s message is blunt: Canadians don’t care about political rivalries. They care about affordability, jobs, and whether their government can keep the country competitive.
If Poilievre continues to posture rather than partner, he risks being sidelined not just by the Liberals, but by provincial leaders like Ford who are willing to embrace the pragmatism Canadians crave.
Ford may not be perfect, and his own record in Ontario is hotly debated. But on this point, he’s right: Canada needs fewer partisan battles and more “Team Canada” thinking. Whether Pierre Poilievre listens is another matter entirely.
