The Major League Baseball World Series captured the headlines last week and most people’s attention. Canada came to the brink of winning the World Series, and Canadians will remain proud of the Blue Jays for the stellar season they have had, disappointed as we may be that the big prize slipped out of our hands.
Donald Trump was very likely sitting on the edge of his seat Saturday night during game seven of the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers came within minutes of incurring his wrath and indignities, but they pulled it off and are now Trump heroes, although perhaps a little less so, because they are from California and Trump hates California.
Trump will dine out on this, of course. It will not surprise me if he finds a way to take some personal credit for the win. From his perspective, however, if the Blue Jays had actually won the World Series, it would quite likely have been a rigged and corrupt game.
The good news, as I see it, is that Canada was front and centre on the world stage for several weeks, primarily because of the Toronto Blue Jays. They received unprecedented attention, demonstrating Canada’s grit and determination, and that we don’t back down easily to anyone.
But, while all this hype, hoopla, and fanfare was going on, something else happened, something with a far more long-term potential effect than the World Series and something that has become a game-changer, or at least an excuse for one, in the critical trade talks between Canada and the United States.
As most people should know by now, Ontario Premier Doug Ford aired an advertisement during the first two games of the World Series on American news channels. It was a simple ad, just a short video of former United States President Ronald Reagan when he made a televised speech opposing tariffs and protectionism and outlining why they were a bad idea. There were no edits to the part of the video that was played. Just Ronald Reagan, a Republican and a Conservative, someone still heavily renowned in the United States, telling it like it is and completely destroying Trump’s strategy of tariffs.
To say that Ford’s ad went viral would be an understatement. It received 11.4 billion (yes, billion) ‘impressions’ on social media and on television worldwide, according to pollsters. Follow-up interviews with Premier Ford took place on most American networks. It was one of the most effective ads aired in a very long time.
Donald Trump, of course, hyperventilated. The ad was fake. It was AI-generated (It has been proven not to be.) Ronald Regan was strongly pro-tariffs (a certifiable lie). Canadians are awful people, or words to that effect. Then he compares himself to Ronald Reagan. Always something in it for his ongoing compulsion for relevance and reverence.
It should have come as no surprise that, always the bully, Trump summarily cut off trade negotiations between Canada and the United States. For good measure, he also announced an additional ten per cent tariff on Canadian goods as direct punishment for the Reagan ad. The U.S. Constitution specifically disallows tariffs for revenge purposes. We will see how that works out.
Clearly, Doug Ford’s Reagan advertisement in the United States has had an effect on the relationship between Canada and the United States. Donald Trump hates being outplayed. He must get even. Trade negotiations are officially in limbo, and Trump believes he has more ammunition and bad news to dump on Canada.
So, the real question is this: Did Doug Ford blow it? Did he go too far? Or did he once again come across as Captain Canada, not only to say what needed to be said but in a clever, non-combatant way?
Has Ford ruined things for Canada, or has he sent an important message that Canadians do not bow down easily at a time this country badly needs to hear that?
There are those who believe Doug Ford kicked the feet out from under Mark Carney. I don’t believe that. He was well aware of the ad. Obviously, from a diplomatic perspective, he could not endorse it, but if Carney really did not want the ad to run, there were ways for him to stop it.
It is my view, that, whether intentionally or by happenstance, the Ford/Reagan ad in the United States and Trump’s antagonistic response will be good for Canada.
I see two main accomplishments.
First, it is about Canada’s pride. Most of us are tired of being kicked around by a despot. It takes a toll to wake up most mornings to hear a shot over the bow about Canada, its weakness, its undeserved sovereignty, our refusal to show him the respect and obedience he thinks he deserves, and on and on.
We needed to see something that was going the other way, something to put a bounce in our steps, to show that this trade war is far from over. We needed something to cheer for, and by successfully doing an end-run on Donald Trump, Doug Ford gave us all that badly needed opportunity.
I regret that Mark Carney felt the need to apologize to Donald Trump but based on Trump’s response it has kept the diplomatic door open and whether we like it or not, that remains important.
There was also another accomplishment here, and I believe, an important one.
Despite claims to the contrary, it has become increasingly clear that the tariff negotiations between Canada and the U.S. are progressing slowly. The United States is still doing everything it can to destroy Canada’s auto sector and to seriously affect Canada’s lumber industry, to name just two. No real progress has been announced, and despite diplomatic verbiage, there is little reason to believe that significant and acceptable advancement is taking place. As well, there is the reality that the best deal in the world with Donald Trump is good only until his next temper tantrum.
Since it was Donald Trump who has terminated trade talks with Canada, and not the other way around, it is my view, and that of many others, that a real opportunity has opened up for Canada, which Mark Carney appears to have recognized. Canada has been set free.
Without cutting off the prospect of new tariff talks with the United States, Carney has sent signals he is now free to take a more aggressive approach to trading partnerships internationally, in spite of how it may affect Canada’s trade with the United States.
Justin Ling, a Canadian journalist, wrote the following in a recent article. “We are incredibly lucky that Trump finally decided to blow up these unproductive negotiations in such a way that drew attention to a basic fact. These Tariffs are unproductive, ineffective and illegal.”
Mark Carney can now acknowledge that “old world” stable, rules-based trade and investment, especially with the United States, is over. He plans instead to double non-U.S. imports and exports over the next decade and is signaling a serious diversification strategy. He says he is willing to pick up trade discussions with the United States when they are ready. He does not seem to be in a hurry for that to occur.
He can wait to see whether Congress and the courts will eventually conclude that the worldwide tariff strategy Trump has employed is constitutionally illegal, or how the effect of tariffs on Americans might force him to change his strategy.
In summary, I think it is good news that there is no longer a deal with Donald Trump. Mark Carney can move on and do what he has to do to protect Canada’s economy and impose tariffs on the United States when there is a need.
I can’t help but believe that the Reagan ad was actually a formative connivance between the Premier of Ontario and the Prime Minister of Canada that Carney can never admit to. It turned out to be just what was needed in this moment in time.
Pure Canadian brilliance across party lines.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
I think it was a plan (Reagan’s clip on tariffs) worked out by Carney and Ford and it did what they wanted it too. Canada is having none of Trump’s bs.
I do think there is something they also need to work out sooner than later and that is immigration. I foresee a small civil war about to happen here in Canada. Many feel it is getting to be a major threat to Canada.
Added note : wow the Blue Jays…they said a lot for Canada even though most are not Canadian their hearts are.
In general, that is where I feel Canada stands.
Whether you like Doug Ford or not, that Reagan ad reminded Canadians that we don’t need to bow to intimidation. It gave us a sense of confidence at a tense time. What matters now is how Mark Carney uses that moment — to strengthen our trade independence and protect Canadian jobs through a commanding, multifaceted budget strategy.
Pride and diplomacy can work together. The point isn’t to pick sides between Ford or Carney — it’s that Canada stood tall, across party lines, when it counted. The ad, the trade shift, the budget — they all say the same thing: the majority of Canadians are done waiting for permission. We build, we protect, we invest — that’s what strong nations do.
Here at home, it’s discouraging how hard it’s become to have real conversations with our elected federal representative. Too often, people are shut out instead of heard. We deserve better dialogue — especially now, when leadership means listening as much as speaking, and bringing people together instead of driving them apart.
Grievance politics aren’t the answer — getting down to business is. We’re not broken. We’re resilient — and getting stronger every time we stand for principle, for each other, for our country. Strength comes when we build for the future instead of getting lost in complaint, drama, and division. How we speak to and among ourselves matters. A nation that edifies itself endures; one that defiles itself falls apart.
Carney clearly stated that he apologized to the president. Not so much elbows up anymore is he.
Trump has said he doesn’t need anything we have to offer. He is waiting for us to come up with something. I don’t think Doug or Mark are going to come up with anything…
For Canada, 42% of GDP is on the line. For the US, we represent a mere 3%.
So tell me again how we won that round?
Are you guys just shukin’ me? You figure those two got together to put a shine on ‘the donald’. Don’t we just wish. But I wonder if Doug has the smarts and ‘aw shucks’ to contribute to the plan. And if Carney would have the levity or the balls to see the fun of it and do it. If so they are holding back where it is really needed. Like on the job.
Next you’ll be telling me the PP is a ‘Rubik’s cube’ expert!
Dale I totally agree with you. Did the Prime Minister really apologize ? or did Carrot head twist things a little? Bill by the way Carney is no Trudeau !!! Folks we need more people like the Premier of Alberta
Rethink your comment, my friend! (Bill Beatty)
The moment I heard about it, I thought, “That Reagan ad was a quietly coordinated effort between Ontario’s Premier and Canada’s Prime Minister: I’m almost certain of it!”
Naturally, since Doug Ford is Doug Ford and Mark Carney is Mark Carney, it was a necessarily clever contrivance that the PM couldn’t publicly acknowledge. Yet, it proved to be exactly what the moment demanded and it delighted me.
IMHO, it was a stroke of pure Canadian brilliance, that transcended personalities and party lines.
Free Trade and Fair Trade, probably a good thing for everyone if we could agree what the rules are and all play nicely accordingly. Also nice, would be honouring all those international agreements to curb climate damage and pay nations ( like Jamaica) compensation for damages incurred as a result of global emissions.
Too much niceness to hope for.
I liked Reagan’s red plaid shirt in the ad. I hope Ontario got its money worth – cost /benefit analysis – not an undiplomatic oopsy, because the hospitals could use the money to pay down their deficits, now that Ontario is asking them to cut costs , find other funding, and possibly trimming patient services.
Email Sent to PM carney Oct 31 2025
John Barltrop
Fri, Oct 31, 5:14 PM (3 days ago)
Dear PM Carney
It is time to call US ambassador Hoekstra to a meeting in Ottawa with you and all the provincial and territorial premiers about his profanity rant against Premier Ford’s advert re ” Reagan anti tariff ” . I fully agree with the majority of Canadians that Ford’s advert was correct in defending the workers of Canada.
I quote Policy CanadaBy Fen Hampson
October 30, 2025
“What makes Hoekstra’s behaviour particularly troubling is not just his use of profane language, but the attitude it reflects—the sense that he is speaking down to Canadians and their representatives as though Canada is somehow a colonial outpost and he the imperial Proconsul. So much for being a trusted partner in what has historically been one of the world’s closest bilateral relationships .”
I am very unhappy with you, as you made amends with Trump about the circulation of my premier’s advert to the USA citizenry over the last week
You need to call, invite the US ambassador to Canada for a meeting stating that his behaviour was upcoming of his position.
PISSED OFF !
John Barltrop
Markham , Ontario
Doug Ford’s actions were very predictable. With his Captain Canada cape, he expresses some of the emotions of Canadians during this trade war. The “football coach” and “hero role” from his family of origin come to the foreground.
Also, as reported, we have read about his foray into vigilantism, with his recent comments over a home invasion. These roles he enjoys, it’s what he knows.
However, TV is TV, the brawn image may be appreciated in the front arena. Behind the scenes, in negotiations, Canadians need to be represented by brains, not brawn – not mouthpieces, but tough diplomacy.
So, before we get into deep discussions that may/may not divide us further, I suggest that the personalities are playing out who they are and what they have to offer for Canada.
May I also suggest that good leaders know when to keep their mouths shut (you know, walk softly and carry a big stick?)
If anyone recalls, globalization was flavour of the decade in the 1980s and thereafter.
Reagan, Mulroney, Thatcher were its cheerleaders and industry loved it as they could make stuff more cheaply in places like China or India.
Fast forward and the USA,China and even Canada have benefitted from free trade as have others, but not everyone has shared in the benefits. Many in the US and Europe have been left behind, with rising costs and low opportunities.
In this situation we see right wing populism arising both here in North America and Europe. And mass migration to escape wars and poverty.
President Donald Trump realises he is making a major shift in policy, one which Reagan would have rejected, and which risks alienating older Republicans who revere Ronald Reagan and yearn for the good old days. Back to the Future!
On balance this ad campaign was indeed an attempt to. Influence Americans politically, otherwise why run it?
On a specific issue for Ontario our auto assembly and parts industry is certainly at risk. Even though the 3D have effectively reduced production to a fraction, we still have Toyota and Honda but for how long?
A really tough call is needed on embracing EV with new partners, with or without US involvement. No wonder Ford did what he did.
I think the Reagan comment used by Premier Ford is accepted as general knowledge. It is something that just stung ‘the donald’ and I don’t see anything wrong with that. In fact I’m pleased Ford took the shot. A little displeased with Carney making an apology. I’ve had enough of our previous PM apologising for everything.
The idea that the Ford ad gave ‘the donald’ a reason to curtail negotiations is a bit silly. If he didn’t use that excuse, he would conjure up another. And an agreement with the man will last only ’til the next time he naps on his side. and it drains out his ear. So the idea of getting an ‘agreement with this president means diddly squat.
And I wonder if the Premier and PM could really ‘connive’ to this degree. Good on them if they did, but I’m dubious. Hopefully there is the chance they will connive a few solutions to our problems.
A small tattoo on my left buttock that said “kiss here donald’ would be about as conniving as I would manage. Wonder if that would help his breathing?
Bill Beatty, Carney had the good sense to know that Doug’s point had been made on both sides of the border, and he did what he needed to do to prevent an escalation by Trump who wouldn’t know when to quit.
Yesterday, Scott Bessent, Trumps Secretary of the Treasury who is normally one of the few sane members of Trump’s cabinet, said the Reagan video was an example of foreign election interference. If that were true, what should anyone call the months of Trump’s insults and sales pitch on Canada becoming a 51st state immediately prior to our federal election? Trump Inc. are all a bunch of thin-skinned whiners with an undeserved superiority complex. They can dish it out but they sure cant take it. Well done Doug and Mark .
When Wab Kinew gives the thumbs up to His Friend Doug Ford , You know Doug was right .Carney was wrong to apologize to Pumpkin Head…..shades of Trudeau Junior !