Doug Ford says report of Honda shifting Canada production to U.S. is ‘not accurate’

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says a Japanese news report saying that Honda is considering shifting some Canadian automotive production to the U.S. in response to new tariffs is “not accurate at all.”

Japanese financial newspaper Nikkei reported Tuesday that Honda is looking into moving a portion of its Canadian production south of the border due to the 25 per cent tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The report stated that the company wants to increase its current level of sales of vehicles produced in the country from 70 per cent to 90 per cent by shifting more Canadian CR-V and Civic manufacturing to the U.S.

The news outlet mentioned that Honda would aim to increase U.S. production by 30 per cent over the next few years by hiring more workers in its U.S. factories that produce the CR-V and Civic models.

Despite the free trade deal between the U.S. and Canada, the global auto tariffs imposed in April have raised costs for all importers.

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“I just got off the phone with the president of Honda Canada, and they’re sending a statement out clarifying what [they] said. It’s not accurate at all,” Ford told reporters at Queen’s Park.

In a social media post, federal Industry Minister Anita Anand said Honda has said these production decisions affecting Canadian operations have not been made or are being considered.

Honda Canada told CHCH News in an email, “This was not an announcement by Honda and we cannot comment on the specifics of this morning’s headlines.”

They went on to confirm that their facility in Alliston, Ont., will continue to operate at full capacity with no changes being considered at this time.

Around 4,200 people are employed at the plant in Alliston, Ont., which produced around 375,00 vehicles in Canada in 2023.

With Ontario’s legislative throne speech happening later Tuesday, Ford says the message needs to be about protecting Canadian jobs.

“We’re going to keep Honda here,” Ford said. “And I’m going to do everything I can to protect the people and their jobs.”

– With files from The Canadian Press

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