Over the past few months, Ontario premier Doug Ford has been Canada’s political muscle, a no-nonsense figure not afraid to brawl publicly with US President Donald Trump.
Whether it’s wearing a “Canada is Not For Sale” hat, tearing up Ontario’s contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink, banning American booze, offering to buy Alaska or threatening to cut off the electricity supply to the US, Ford has not held back.
“I don’t like saying I am the enforcer, even though I did play hockey and I was the enforcer on the ice,” he tells the FT, referencing the role designed to react aggressively to foul play and protect star players. “I want to be the enforcer for the people of Canada.”