He's not the first to suggest it, but federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is ready to run with the ball, a 100 per cent tariff on Tesla vehicles imported into Canada.
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland first floated the idea a few weeks ago.
That's the stick Singh is willing to use to battle back against tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump and more specifically, the head of his Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk. Musk owns Tesla.
As for the carrot, he said he would like to bring back Ottawa's rebate on electric vehicles. The program, which offered drivers $5,000 back if they invested in EVs, ended last month after it ran out of cash. It was expected to run until the end of March.
Instead of $5,000, Singh wants to bump that up to $10,000 if the vehicle was made in Canada.
"Buying a car is a major purchase," he said in Windsor this morning. "And Canadians are looking for the best deals they can find, especially when everything costs more. If you're buying, buy Canadian. Support Canadian auto workers. Support Canadian auto jobs."
Singh and Windsor West MP Brian Masse met with auto workers in Windsor on Monday morning before speaking with the media at the Unifor Local 444/200 Hall on Turner Road.
In the afternoon, Singh toured the CBSA's facilities at the Ambassador Bridge, then met with reporters, where he discussed a need for more border agents and a new training facility in Windsor.
"In a border town like Windsor, it only makes sense that we actually have a training facility for border security officers here in Windsor, to help create jobs here in Windsor, help train those officers here in Windsor, and then they'd be able to work right here in the community," said Singh.
When asked about the border security measures announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Singh said his concern with that goes back to the manpower.
"He is focused on technology and equipment," said Singh. "We always invite the best equipment, the best technology, but what is missing in his plan is an actual investment in the workers."
Singh added that his border security plan had little or no bearing on Trump's tariff threat, and that Canada must continue to keep illicit drugs and weapons out of the country.