PoliticsNot going back: Ford will cancel Starlink-Ontario deal even if tariffs are liftedBy Isaac Callan & Colin D'MelloGlobal NewsPosted March 5, 2025 4:12 pmUpdated March 5, 2025 7:31 pm2 min readIf you get Global News from Instagram or Facebook - that will be changing. Find out how you can still connect with us.2:31Ontario worries about automaker tariff reprieveRELATED: Ontario worries about automaker tariff reprieveOntario Premier Doug Ford says his decision to rip up a contract with Elon Musks internet service is permanent and wont be reversed, even if Canadas tariff war with the United States is resolved.On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump slapped 25 per cent tariffs on the vast majority of Canadian imports, sparking a growing trade war between the two neighbouring countries.As part of its response, Ontario removed U.S. alcohol from the shelves of the LCBO, banned American companies from bidding on provincial contracts and cancelled a deal between Musks SpaceX and the provincial government.The cancelled contract is worth $100 million and was first signed in November 2024 to deliver Starlink satellite internet to rural and northern communities in Ontario. Get breaking National newsFor news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.Starlink is run by SpaceX and owned by Musk, who has emerged as a key advisor to Trump. Ford suggested that cancelling the contract was about Musk and his role in the Trump administration, blasting him and saying the Ontario university he attended should be embarrassed to have him as a former student. Fords decision to cancel the Starlink contract on Tuesday is the second time he has done so in a matter of a few weeks.During the election, with tariffs set to hit, Ford said he was cancelling the Starlink agreement as a retaliatory measure. When tariffs did not materialize, however, Fords team said the contract with Musk would go ahead.This time, Ford said the cancellation is permanent even if tariffs are removed. Its done, he told Global News as he walked to a caucus meeting on Wednesday. Were not going back there, its done.It is not yet clear how much cancelling the deal could end up costing Ontario. The Ford government hasnt revealed the potential break fee but the premier said it was a point of principle and suggested it could be fought out in court.If they come out and sue us, so be it, Ford said on Tuesday. I want to inflict as much pain as we possibly can until we get to a deal.Both the Ontario Liberals and NDP have called on Ford to scrap the contract and questioned why it was signed in the first place.Musk responded the first time Ontario threatened to cancel the Starlink deal. In a social media post at the time, he simply wrote, Oh well. Related NewsJournalistic standardsReport an error&copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.