Ford says ‘beautiful’ Lake Ontario sign was worth $25K price tag

Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended the cost of a $25,000 sign placed in Lake Ontario, stating that the promotional benefits outweighed the expense. The sign, featuring the message "Lake Ontario now and always" in both English and French, was erected in response to a controversial executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, which renamed the lake "Lake America" as part of a trade war with Canada.

Ford unveiled the sign in Winona, Ontario, last week, garnering international media attention. Responding to public inquiries about the sign, Ford commented, "I can’t remember what it cost, I think it was $25,000, but I responded to one person." He emphasized that the sign's international exposure brought significant free advertising worth "25 million dollars" in his eyes.

Ford's approach has faced criticism from political opponents, who argue that his tactics, including direct insults and extensive media appearances on U.S. networks, may not be conducive to productive trade negotiations. Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser questioned whether Ford's strategy is beneficial for Ontario, suggesting the premier should focus on addressing concerns of Ontarians directly, rather than engaging in international media confrontations.