News
November 03, 2025
U.S. government official refers to Doug Ford as 'Prime Minister of Ontario' during TV interview
"This Prime Minsiter of Ontario, who I imagine is smarting from the Blue Jays loss last night, spent $75 million trying to broadcast across the U.S. border," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
**U.S. Treasury Secretary Mixes Up Titles, Calls Doug Ford 'Prime Minister of Ontario' on Live TV**
A slip of the tongue by a U.S. government official has raised eyebrows north of the border. During a recent television interview, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mistakenly referred to Ontario Premier Doug Ford as the "Prime Minister of Ontario."
The gaffe occurred as Bessent discussed a financial matter involving the Canadian province. He stated, "This Prime Minister of Ontario, who I imagine is smarting from the Blue Jays loss last night, spent $75 million trying to broadcast across the U.S. border."
The statement immediately sparked reaction online and in political circles. While the error might seem minor, the distinction between "Premier" and "Prime Minister" is significant in Canadian politics. The Prime Minister of Canada is the head of the federal government, while the Premier is the head of the provincial government. Ontario, like other Canadian provinces, has a Premier.
It remains unclear if Bessent's misstatement was a simple slip of the tongue or indicative of a lack of familiarity with Canadian political structures. The U.S. Treasury Department has yet to issue a formal statement clarifying the remark.
The accidental title bestowed upon Premier Ford comes at a time of ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Canada on various economic and trade issues. The comment about the $75 million expenditure on broadcasting across the U.S. border suggests the interview was likely focused on one of these areas of financial interaction.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accuracy in political discourse, especially when dealing with international relations. While many found the mistake amusing, others viewed it as a potentially disrespectful oversight. It also highlights the constant scrutiny public figures face in the age of instant news and social media. The slip-up is likely to fuel further discussion and perhaps a few lighthearted jokes in the coming days.
A slip of the tongue by a U.S. government official has raised eyebrows north of the border. During a recent television interview, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mistakenly referred to Ontario Premier Doug Ford as the "Prime Minister of Ontario."
The gaffe occurred as Bessent discussed a financial matter involving the Canadian province. He stated, "This Prime Minister of Ontario, who I imagine is smarting from the Blue Jays loss last night, spent $75 million trying to broadcast across the U.S. border."
The statement immediately sparked reaction online and in political circles. While the error might seem minor, the distinction between "Premier" and "Prime Minister" is significant in Canadian politics. The Prime Minister of Canada is the head of the federal government, while the Premier is the head of the provincial government. Ontario, like other Canadian provinces, has a Premier.
It remains unclear if Bessent's misstatement was a simple slip of the tongue or indicative of a lack of familiarity with Canadian political structures. The U.S. Treasury Department has yet to issue a formal statement clarifying the remark.
The accidental title bestowed upon Premier Ford comes at a time of ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Canada on various economic and trade issues. The comment about the $75 million expenditure on broadcasting across the U.S. border suggests the interview was likely focused on one of these areas of financial interaction.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accuracy in political discourse, especially when dealing with international relations. While many found the mistake amusing, others viewed it as a potentially disrespectful oversight. It also highlights the constant scrutiny public figures face in the age of instant news and social media. The slip-up is likely to fuel further discussion and perhaps a few lighthearted jokes in the coming days.
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Business