From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

An election called to address Donald Trump’s threat to annex Canada leads to Ontario Conservatives’ third majority government under Doug Ford.

The Progressive Conservative Party has won its third majority under leader Doug Ford. 

On February 27, Progressive Conservative Party leader Doug Ford won 80 out of the 124 seats, securing his third majority government in a snap election called to address U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada and turn the country into the 51st state. 

“Together, we have secured a strong, historic third majority mandate to protect Ontario,” Ford told his supporters at a victory party. 

The premier paid tribute to the patriotism of politicians from the other Ontario parties, stating that “each one” loves both the province and Canada itself.

“We can disagree on policy, but there’s no question, no question at all: each one of them loves our province, and each one of them loves Canada, the greatest country on Earth,” he continued. 

According to Elections Ontario’s unofficial results, Ford’s Conservatives received 2,158,452 votes, about 42%.  

The Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) received the next highest number of seats at 27. The Ontario Liberal Party got 14.  

The New Blue Party, a pro-life, pro-family, and pro-freedom party, did not secure a seat but received 80,245 votes. The Ontario Party, which is both pro-family and pro-freedom, received 26,262 votes.  

When Ford called the election, he told voters he wanted “a strong mandate” before embarking on what he sees as a difficult time in Ontario’s history.

“We’re entering a period of unprecedented economic risk and lengthy negotiations – against President Trump and with the federal government and other provinces. Responding to this challenge will demand extraordinary action,” Ford wrote Tuesday afternoon on X.

“To protect Ontario, I’m asking the people for a strong mandate – a strong, stable, four-year mandate that will outlive and outlast the Trump administration.”

MxM News

Quick Hit:

France is reportedly prepared to extend its nuclear deterrent to protect Europe, as concerns grow over U.S. commitment to NATO under the Trump administration. Fighter jets carrying nuclear weapons could be stationed in Germany, marking a major shift in European defense policy.

Key Details:

• French nuclear-capable fighter jets could be deployed to Germany as the U.S. considers reducing its military presence in Europe.
• German Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz has urged Britain and France to extend nuclear protection to Europe as he seeks to reduce dependence on the U.S.
• Emmanuel Macron discussed his European security strategy with Donald Trump at the White House, emphasizing that peace in Ukraine must not mean surrender.

Diving Deeper:

France is poised to extend its nuclear deterrent to help protect Europe, with potential plans to station nuclear-capable fighter jets in Germany. The move comes amid growing uncertainty over U.S. military commitments on the continent.

Friedrich Merz, who won Germany’s recent elections and is expected to become chancellor, has been vocal about securing European “independence” from American security guarantees. Merz has called on France and Britain to expand their nuclear umbrella to Germany, arguing that Europe can no longer rely on Washington’s protection.

A French official told The Telegraph that deploying nuclear jets in Germany would send a strong message to Russia, while Berlin-based diplomats suggested that such a move could pressure British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to take similar action. “Posting a few French nuclear jet fighters in Germany should not be difficult and would send a strong message,” the official said.

Macron, a longtime advocate for European strategic autonomy, discussed the nuclear defense initiative with Merz on Sunday night before traveling to Washington. At the White House, he presented his vision for Europe’s security and the defense of Ukraine to President Trump. During a joint press conference, Trump indicated that the U.S. would not offer security guarantees to Ukraine once a peace agreement was signed.

Macron, standing beside Trump, emphasized that any peace settlement “must not be a surrender of Ukraine” and called on European nations to take greater responsibility for the continent’s security.

For decades, the U.S. has maintained Europe’s security with a nuclear arsenal of roughly 100 missiles, many of which are based in Germany. However, France’s nuclear program operates independently from NATO, while Britain’s serves as a core component of the alliance’s defense strategy. Merz has urged both nations to consider expanding their nuclear security umbrella to include Germany.

On Monday, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson added to the debate, arguing that Ukraine itself should have nuclear weapons as a deterrent against future Russian aggression. Speaking to The Telegraph during a visit to Kyiv, Johnson said there was a “moral case” for Ukraine to develop its own nuclear arsenal.

Although talks on a formal European nuclear deterrent have yet to begin, Germany’s diplomatic circles acknowledge the growing pressure on Berlin to consider France’s offer. Macron has long pushed for a European dialogue on the role of France’s nuclear weapons in defending the continent. A Berlin diplomat suggested that Macron’s push would also challenge Starmer to clarify Britain’s role in European defense.