Toronto Sun reports that Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his disappointment with U.S. President Donald Trump's calls for more tariffs in Canada as smoke from wildfires in northern Ontario continues to drift south of the border.
Ford made the comments during a Monday morning press conference in Toronto, stating that if Trump actually did his due diligence, he would know that one of the largest fires started from Minnesota, not Canada.
Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada if the country does not take greater action to control the wildfires, which have blanketed much of southern Ontario and areas of the northeastern and midwestern United States in smoke.
The smoke has made Toronto the most polluted city in the world, prompting many U.S. politicians, including Trump, to call on Canada to do more to stop the outbreak of wildfires.
Ford also indirectly blamed the tariffs for Ontario's wildfire emergency, suggesting that if the tariffs on softwood lumber were lifted, it might make a difference in the situation.
The Ontario premier highlighted the successful rescue of 15 American YMCA campers and staff stranded by fires in Ontario's Wabakimi Provincial Park, brought to safety by Royal Canadian Air Force rescue teams.
Ford painted a grim picture of Ontario's fire situation, stating that the entire situation is escalating and that the fires are expanding rapidly.
There are currently 190 active wildland fires across Ontario, with 56 of those still not under control, 112 being observed, and 16 under control.
Operations battling the blazes include 155 crews, 80 water bombers and helicopters, as well as 40 support aircraft.
Thirteen communities are under evacuation orders, with evacuees being hosted in Thunder Bay, Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Sudbury.
Ford suggested that Trump would be better off offering Canada support instead of threats, given the country's history of providing aid to the U.S. in times of need.
Ford pointed out that 3.9 million acres of wildfires are currently burning in the United States, and that Ontario would be sending resources south to help if they weren't already tied up controlling their own fires.
