The party leaders put a northern lens to their platforms during a debate held in North Bay on Friday. Forestry was among the topics raised. PC leader Doug Ford is promising protection to northern Ontario industries, suggesting the forest sector is at ground zero of his fight against the U.S. trade tariffs. He outlined investments of over $400 million in the sector that has created over 3,500 new jobs. “When it comes to the forestry sector, we’re going to support the forestry sector,” says Ford. “We’re going to protect them against Donald Trump’s tariffs. We’re going to protect their families, their jobs and their communities.” The opposition was critical of the Ford government’s support, drawing attention to mills in Terrace Bay, Espanola and Thessalon that closed or have been idled.

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