Business leaders, farmers in Ontario say next PM needs to act quickly amid Trump threats

Jan 08, 2025

Associations representing farmers and businesses in Ontario say Canada's next leader needs to act quickly and prioritize Canada's economy in the face of potentially catastrophic tariffs threatened by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

Reflecting on nearly a decade of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's tenure, they say his policies have brought both boons and challenges to their sectors, adding that agricultural and business growth needs to be top of mind, regardless of who takes over the reign.

"We definitely need experienced hands for the economy and for businesses," said Graham Henderson of London, Ont.'s Chamber of Commerce, which represents 950 businesses.

On Monday, Trudeau announced he was proroguing Parliament until March 24 and will step down once the Liberal Party chooses his successor. Trump was quick to respond, reiterating an idea he floated earlier, that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. On Tuesday, Trump said he would consider using "economic force" to join the countries together.

While some observers believe it's all part of Trump's negotiating strategy, Trudeau immediately dismissed his latest remarks, saying "there isn't a snowball's chance in hell" Canada would become a part of the U.S.

Opposition and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre responded too, saying in a statement, "Canada will never be the 51st state. Period." NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "No Canadian wants to join you. ... Your attacks will hurt jobs on both sides of the border."

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Video: A Farm Song (Busy) | Parody of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Lyrics:

My days begin with workin’, Alarm’s at 5 o’clock,
I Fill 5 gallon buckets, The feeders and the troughs,
This five to nine ain’t workin’, why the heck do I work so hard?,
I can’t worry ‘bout health problems, I can sleep in when I’m gone,

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

I’ve been working pretty stressed but,
I ain’t changing for some cash,
Lord knows that I’m very blessed (More chores),
But I gotta say it’s hard,
Workin’ outside gettin’ charred,
Living out here on the farm, (more chores)

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history
There’s another 20 chickens that still need feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm getting’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Fun, here on ranch that’s what you can’t ignore,
Might be pretty hard but I love it to its core,
Flannel’s gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores (Tell ‘em sing with me)

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
Watching cattle in the dark, don’t miss me,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
(Yeeeeeehaw)
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
It’s the best bro, go get yourself a farm