Remarks at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Annual Conference – Ottawa
Opening & Acknowledgements
“Hello, everyone!
It’s great to be back here in Ottawa with all of you…
For the 2025 AMO Conference.
I want to start by thanking Mayor Robin Jones…
And everyone at AMO for hosting this year’s conference.
And I want to thank Mayor Mark Sutcliffe…
For having us here in Ottawa.
I also want to thank all the hard-working mayors, councillors, wardens and municipal officials across Ontario…
For everything you do to serve your communities.
And for your continued partnership…
As we protect Ontario…
And build for the future.”
On U.S. Tariffs and Canada–U.S. Relations
“Friends, we all know…
Just how much the world has changed…
Since we met last year.
President Trump’s tariffs are taking direct aim at our country…
Our province…
And our people.
Communities across Ontario are feeling the impact…
And I know workers and their families are worried. I have been clear since day one…
Making the case to the Trump administration…
And to ordinary Americans:
This is no way to treat their best customer…
Their friend…
And their closest ally.
These tariffs aren’t just impacting Canadians.
They’re hurting American families and businesses.
They’re making life more expensive south of the border…
And they’re making life more uncertain for millions of workers …
Who depend on free and open trade.
Because a tariff on Canada…
Is a tax on Americans.
And it needs to end.
We’re going to keep making the case that we’re better off working together…
But as Canadians, we also need to be prepared to stand on our own.
And folks…
I know that Canada is up to the challenge.
Over the last few months…
We have seen our country come together…
Like never before.
We are more united…
And more determined to stand up for Canada…
Than at any time in my life.
We’ve made it clear to President Trump…
And to the world…
That Canada is not for sale…
And Canada will never be the 51st state.
But now…
It’s up to all of us here…
To put those words into action.
Because the challenge we are facing today…
Is about more than just tariffs…
Or one man in the White House.
As Canadians…
We need to look at ourselves…
And make sure we are doing everything in our power…
To unleash the incredible potential of our province…
And our country…
So that no matter who the next president is…
Or whatever the next crisis…
We are able protect our workers…
Our public services…
And our communities…
Not just from President Trump…
But from anything that comes our way…
For decades to come.
We need to build a stronger…
More resilient…
And self-reliant economy.
We need to make Ontario the most competitive place in the G7 to invest…
Create jobs…
And do business.
And we need to do it together…
Working with all levels of governments…
And Indigenous communities.
Over the last few months…
That’s what our government has been doing.
Building a Stronger Ontario Economy
- Removing internal trade barriers
- Signing trade agreements with other provinces
- Unlocking critical minerals with First Nations equity
- $500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund
- $30 billion relief and support for workers hit by tariffs
- $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund
Investments in Health Care & Services
- Nearly $60 billion to build/upgrade 50+ hospitals
- New medical schools
- $2.1 billion to connect everyone to primary care by 2029
- Prioritizing Ontario- and Canadian-made products
Procurement, Public Service & Local Partnerships
- Encouraging municipalities to buy Ontario-made products
- Partnership with Mayor Chow & Toronto on new subway cars
- Return of Ontario Public Service to office 5 days/week
- Tackling homelessness and addictions
- Supporting municipalities with encampment solutions
Housing & Infrastructure Commitments
- $1.2 billion Building Faster Fund
- Windsor exceeding housing targets by 213%
- $200 billion plan to build Ontario (hospitals, transit, highways, schools, roads)
- Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program expanded to $4 billion
- Call to remove HST for first-time homebuyers
- Call to lower municipal development charges
Closing Remarks
“As I conclude…
I want to again say how important your partnership and support are…
As we work to protect Ontario.
We live in the best province…
In the best country on earth.
And I know that we are united…
In our fight to protect Ontario.
I promise everyone here…
That our government…
Will continue working with you…
To protect our communities…
Invest in growth…
And make Ontario safer…
More competitive…
And more prosperous than ever before.
I look forward to working with you to get it done.
I want to thank you again for inviting me here today…
And may God bless the people of Ontario.”
