TORONTO — Canada’s premiers should take a much bigger function in Canada-U.S. relations, Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentioned Monday on his approach in to a gathering he’s chairing with all 13 provincial and territorial leaders.
TORONTO — Canada’s premiers should take a much bigger function in Canada-U.S. relations, Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentioned Monday on his approach in to a gathering he’s chairing with all 13 provincial and territorial leaders.
Ford has been outspoken concerning the want for a co-ordinated technique in response to a risk from U.S. president-elected Donald Trump, who has mentioned he’ll impose a 25 per cent import tariff on items coming from Canada and Mexico when he takes workplace.
Trump has steered that the tariffs will come into place until each nations cease unlawful border crossings and stop medication like fentanyl from coming into the U.S.
The premiers have had digital conferences with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to debate the tariffs, press him for extra funding on border safety and plan a co-ordinated response. Monday marks the primary time the premiers collect to strategize in particular person.
“I believe it’s vital the premiers take a much bigger function, as a result of it should have an effect on every province and every territory and we’ll positively be taking a much bigger function,” Ford mentioned.
His feedback got here in response to a query about whether or not the federal authorities has too many different fires to place out to deal with tariffs and the border and have been made simply minutes earlier than Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who additionally served because the deputy prime minister, introduced her resignation from cupboard.
“As for the federal authorities, there’s plenty of stuff happening up there proper now, so I am going to go away it at that, however I can guarantee you that the premiers will take a really large function on the negotiations,” Ford mentioned.
Ford has come out strongly in favour of retaliatory tariffs and has threatened to in flip lower off the electrical energy the province provides to a number of states.
However different premiers have spoken in favour of a unique method, with Alberta’s Danielle Smith saying she prefers the diplomatic route and would not assist retaliatory tariffs or slicing off Alberta’s oil and gasoline exports.
Ford mentioned Canada-U.S. relations, vitality safety and well being care are on the agenda for the assembly.
“With a brand new administration taking workplace in the USA, it is by no means been extra necessary for Canada’s premiers to work collectively to guard Canadian jobs and construct up stronger partnerships on each side of the border,” Ford wrote in an announcement forward of the assembly.
“As premiers, we’re targeted on defending jobs and attracting funding, whereas additionally persevering with our work to strengthen well being care, together with the significance of accelerating affected person entry to new and life-saving medicines.”
Ford has additionally steered he’s taking a look at limiting the Liquor Management Board of Ontario, one of many largest purchasers of alcohol on the earth, from shopping for American-made alcohol.
Whereas some premiers have spoken about completely different approaches to dealing with Trump’s tariff risk, Ford has mentioned they’re all in settlement on the necessity to tighten border safety and that Canada ought to meet its dedication to spend two per cent of its GDP on nationwide defence. Trudeau has pledged to fulfill that focus on by 2032.
“The place we differ, I used to be talking very clearly for Ontario, and I nonetheless converse for Ontario,” Ford mentioned at a Friday press convention.
“I do not converse for the remainder of the nation. That is as much as the premiers. … (When) it involves Alberta or Quebec, that is their selection. They consider in diplomacy. Good luck.”
The Ontario premier has additionally mentioned the premiers are all in settlement that Canada ought to pursue a bilateral commerce cope with the USA, with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Settlement up for assessment in 2026. He has mentioned Mexico is changing into a “again door” to Chinese language items.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 16, 2024.
Liam Casey and Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
