U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra speaks at an event hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, September 18, 2025. The Canadian Press
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is asking U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra to apologize after a heated outburst reportedly directed at Ontario’s trade representative, David Paterson.
According to two provincial government sources, Hoekstra confronted Paterson at an Ottawa event earlier this week. The exchange reportedly involved harsh language and insults over an Ontario anti-tariff ad aimed at American audiences.
“Pete, you gotta call Dave up and apologize, it’s simple,” Ford said Wednesday during a news conference. “You know, the cheese slipped off the cracker. I get it. You’re ticked off, but call the guy up because you’re a good guy, and Dave’s my champion.”
Ford emphasized that both men are professionals and should “bury the hatchet.” He described Hoekstra’s behaviour as “unacceptable” and “unbecoming of an ambassador,” though he also suggested the ambassador could have expressed his frustration directly to him. “He can call me up, shout and scream at me. I can go with the best of them,” Ford said with a grin.
A Dispute Over Trade and Tariffs
The dispute comes after a tense week between Canadian and American officials. U.S. President Donald Trump recently halted trade talks with Canada and threatened a new 10 per cent tariff on Canadian goods. His reaction followed the release of the Ontario ad, which featured former president Ronald Reagan warning about the dangers of protectionist policies.
Ford defended the ad, saying Ontario had to take a stand for its workers. “When you have someone attacking your province, attacking your country, trying to take our auto jobs down to the U.S., what do they expect me to do? Sit back and roll over?” he said.
The premier said Ontario’s manufacturing and auto sectors continue to lose jobs because of tariffs and trade uncertainty. “I’m going to fight like I’ve never fought before,” he added. “I’ll use every tool in my toolbox to protect the people of Ontario and protect the people of Canada.”
Although Ford agreed to pause the ad campaign earlier this week, he allowed it to continue running through the weekend during the World Series.
Trade Tensions and Tough Talk
The confrontation between Hoekstra and Paterson appears to reflect growing tensions between Ontario and Washington over trade policy. Ford has taken a strong stance against any measures that could hurt Ontario’s economy, especially in manufacturing and steel.
Despite the friction, Ford described his relationship with Hoekstra as friendly. He even mentioned they have a running bet on the World Series. Still, he stressed that public officials must remain respectful even in heated moments.
Moving Forward Amid Tensions
Ford made his comments while appearing with members of the Webequie First Nation to announce a new agreement on a supply road to the Ring of Fire mining region — a project he said will move faster because of ongoing trade challenges.
The premier also said he previewed the controversial anti-tariff ad with Prime Minister Mark Carney and his chief of staff before its release but declined to share details of that discussion.
