OTTAWA — Ontario Premier Doug Ford arrived at a meeting with the prime minister and all of the country's other premiers today armed with his now-frequent message of unity and strength in a fight against American tariffs — and a new anti-annexation accessory.
While making remarks on his way into the meeting, Ford sported a navy blue baseball cap with the words "Canada is not for sale" on the front and the year of Confederation — 1867 — on the side.
The message on the headwear, in the style of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's red "Make America Great Again" hats, is a reference to Trump's stated desire to make Canada the 51st state.
Ford later wrote in a social-media post that the hat came from Ottawa entrepreneurs Jackpine and linked to their new online hat store, strongandfreehat.ca.
The website's offerings include baseball caps and tuques emblazoned with either the words "Canada is not for sale" or "strong and free," which the pair behind the hats say were inspired by a recent interview Ford did with Fox News, in which the host pushed Trump's idea of annexation.
The premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are set today to discuss the country's plan to respond to Trump's threats to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods right after he takes office next week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2025.
The Canadian Press
