OP-ED: How Ontario can take on Trump — and do some good at the same time

he following is an op-ed by MPP Jessica Bell, who has represented Toronto's University—Rosedale riding since 2018. 

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Many Ontarians are telling me they feel hopeless about the trade war with Donald Trump and its threat to Ontario's economy. What can Ontario do? This is a national problem, they say.

I think it's also a provincial one. The strongest protection against tariffs is to make Ontario less dependent on the United States by investing in public services, good jobs and local industry. One effective way to do that is through housing construction.

Ontario's housing market is in trouble. After decades of speculation drove housing prices to unaffordable levels, the market has begun to slump. Housing starts fell to about 65,400 in 2025, well below the roughly 150,000 homes per year needed to meet Ontario's housing needs.

The consequences extend beyond affordability. Ontario's housing construction industry employs about 450,000 people, including tradespeople, manufacturers, transportation workers and building suppliers. Some of these jobs are now at risk. The Building Industry and Land Development Association estimates Ontario could lose 100,000 construction jobs if housing starts do not recover.

The Ford government and the Carney government have responded with billions in low-interest financing, an HST exemption on new housing and reduced development charges — with most of it going to for-profit housing