Canada’s Premiers and the federal government are showing a united front in confronting the threat of new tariffs from the United States.
The focus will be convincing the Americans to reconsider.
A meeting of the Council of the Federation discussed several scenarios, but none were publicly disclosed.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will be ready if the tariffs go ahead.
“We had an excellent conversation today from around, around the table with passionate Canadians who are proud to represent very different regions of the country, but who are all united on one thing, which is we will stand up for Canada, we will protect Canadians,” says Trudeau.
“We will make sure that we are there to show what this country is made of. At the same time, we’ve also agreed that no one region of the country should disproportionately bear the burden of standing up for all other Canadians. We have made it very clear that everything is on the table as potential responses.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith attended the meeting but did not participate in the closing media conference or sign off on an official statement.
She later posted on social media, expressing concern about the potential of export tariffs being placed on oil.
“Federal government officials continue to publicly and privately float the idea of cutting off energy supply to the U.S. and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy and other products to the United States,” writes Smith.
“Until these threats cease, Alberta will not be able to fully support the federal government’s plan in dealing with the threatened tariffs.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he respects Smith’s views but expressed the importance of being a united country.
“Canada is a priority. And I don’t believe in jeopardizing one sector or another. Premier Smith is oil. Ontario is auto sector,” says Ford.
“We all have different views, and we can respect each other’s views, but at the end of the day, when the tariffs come, it’s going to affect Albertans. It’s going to affect people from B.C. and Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, all the way down the road. No one’s exempt from that.”
Ford also used the opportunity to encourage a buy-Canada approach.
“Even when it comes down to going into your local retailer, look at the back of the label. If it doesn’t say Made in Canada, pick the can beside it that does say Made in Canada.”
A message to all our retailers, all the grocery retailers, other retailers, start on-shoring goods to Canada. Start looking at Made in Canada. If we get hit by a tariff and our costs go up, I’d rather pay a few more cents to go to a Canadian supplier, someone that’s producing right here in Canada.”
The First Ministers did agree on the need to enhance security along the border to stop the flow of illegal firearms, drugs and immigrants, a key concern of President-elect Donald Trump.
They also committed to working closely on Canada-U.S. relations with weekly meetings to take place following Trump’s inauguration next Monday.
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