Scott Stinson: The Conservative premier, the Democratic governor, and their unlikely alliance

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, left, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford walk up the stairs in the main foyer at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Photo by Peter Power/Postmedia

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Doug Ford came down the central staircase in the main foyer at Queen’s Park on Wednesday afternoon, a big smile across his face.

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The premier of Ontario took his place at the bottom of the stairs, and stood expectantly, facing east and looking down the long, green-carpeted hallway.

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Add some organ music and a boutonniere on his lapel, and he would have looked very much like a groom at a wedding.

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Which, in a way, he was. Down the hallway came the other, er, groom, as Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania, strode purposefully down the carpet.

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When he got close enough to Ford, Shapiro reached out a hand and said, “There he is!” like he was seeing an old pal again for the first time in a while. The men exchanged pleasantries for the benefit of the assembled cameras.

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“How are you?”

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“It’s great to see you.”

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“I’m looking forward to spending some time with you.”

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Then it was up the grand staircase toward Ford’s office. The premier joked about the governor being in better shape than him. The governor dutifully laughed. As they disappeared up the steps, the protective officers for each of the politicians, trailing behind, introduced themselves and shook hands.

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The entire choreographed scene was a prelude to a formal union of sorts, although the value and significance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed about an hour later between Ontario and Pennsylvania can be a matter of debate.

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The deal, which is really just a long and detailed promise to work together across a number of industries in hopes of increasing mutual trade and investment, was more symbolic than anything else.

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And yet, at this moment in time, those symbols matter. Shapiro is a Democrat, and a frequent critic of U.S. President Donald Trump. Ford is a Conservative, and a one-time Trump supporter. They are unlikely allies. And yet, if the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Ford and Shapiro have every reason to be great buddies.

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Ford’s date with Shapiro came after a brief trip to Washington, D.C., for the premier, where he says he met all kinds of leaders from the Congress and Senate, who heard his gospel about the importance of trade between Canada and the United States and the folly of Trump’s trade wars and tariffs.

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But the thing about that kind of trip is that it was always unlikely to lead to quick, concrete results — especially after a planned reception for Ford from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was cancelled, reportedly after complaints from the White House.

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And so here was Shapiro, happy to stand alongside Ford and offer their mutual commitment to do, well, whatever it is they will ultimately do.

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After some remarks and a signing ceremony — again with the wedding vibes — it was time for the leaders to take some questions. And it was clear that the Tory and the Democrat are very much singing from the same sheet.