Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the Canadian province needs to hold an early election to fend off Donald Trump's revenue "attack" as a trade war looms between close allies.

But opposition parties criticized the move as a "distraction" from a criminal investigation into the government's handling of a controversial multi-billion dollar land swap.

Ford, 60, ended months of speculation on Friday, telling reporters he planned to meet with the province's lieutenant premier early next week to dissolve the government and hold an election on Feb. 27.

He is seeking a third consecutive majority government for his centre-right Progressive Conservatives. Ford has previously secured substantial victories in the 2022 and 2018 elections and said he hopes to win "the largest mandate in Ontario's history" on the February ballot.

Ontario is the country's most populous province, has a $1.1 trillion economy and is home to the manufacturing heartland. Experts believe Ontario will be hit hard if the new U.S. president threatens to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports on February 1.

"This is an attack on our families, on our businesses, on our communities, and with a strong mandate, we will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Donald Trump," Ford told reporters on Friday. He also condemned " There is a lack of leadership at the federal level," adding: "We don't know who will be the next prime minister" after Justin Trudeau resigned earlier this month.

Ford has become one of the strongest voices opposing expected tariffs and has appeared frequently on U.S. television in recent weeks. He has also raised the prospect of cutting off U.S. electricity and, if necessary, banning U.S. alcohol products, a stance that stands in stark contrast to the country's other conservative prime ministers.

"The prime minister probably believes that if the tariffs go through, there will be really serious economic impacts. Any retaliation by Canada would be very controversial and would bring economic pain of its own," said Randy Besco, an associate professor of political science at the University of Toronto. . "When the economy is bad, voters often punish the government even if it doesn't take responsibility. So they may suspect that a year from now things might be bad. Now, they feel like they've done a good job and can move on."

But the premier's political opponents criticized the decision, saying the province was unanimous in supporting a strong response to the tariffs.

While Ford has said he will campaign on the tariffs, opposition parties are likely to turn the conversation to what they say is the government's involvement in "corrupt" dealings and excessive pursuit of controversial policies.

Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie accused the premier of choosing "recklessness over responsibility" in a video message posted on social media.

"At a time when we need stability and certainty, (Ford is) responding to chaos by creating more chaos," she said. "This election has shown us that the only jobs he's interested in protecting are his own."

The NDP leader said Ford called the election a way to "distract attention from the RCMP's criminal investigation into his government."

In October 2023, federal police said they had launched a criminal investigation into a controversial plan to allow construction on Ontario's Green Belt land, adding to a political scandal plaguing the province and forcing some high-profile governments to Resign.

But both parties are lagging far behind Ford's Progressive Conservatives in polls.

"All the reasons Ford wants an election are the same reasons the opposition doesn't want an election," Besco said.