
Wednesday January 15, 2025 | NATIONAL – VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 8:53 am PT | Latest update 5:39 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
This morning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a brief introduction to the issue of how Canada will deal with the threat of US tariffs, at the start of a meeting with Canada’s premiers.
In his opening remarks, the prime minister outlined two objectives for discussion:
- Opportunities for an increased and deeper partnership with the United States (morning discussion)
- Canada’s response to possible tariffs (afternoon discussion)
Trudeau said it is important for Canadians to see both levels of government — federal and provincial/territorial — coming together to discuss Canada’s “most important relationship”.
Who is there:
All the premiers from Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories are attending the meeting that is hosted by the prime minister.

BC Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are attending remotely.
Trudeau said its important that all regions of the country be “heard in its particular and deep relationship with the United States”.
National identify and unity:
Council of the Federation Chair Doug Ford said that Canada needs to approach the threat of US tariffs from a position of strength.

Speaking to media ahead of the joint session, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Furey said “this crisis should not jeopardize Canada’s national identity or national unity”.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said on CTV that it’s important to “make sure that everyone is aware of the advantage of an integrated economy that is beneficial for Canadians and Americans”. He wants Canadians to be “represented in a very positive way.”
Canadians are encouraged to buy items that are Made in Canada and that retailers enable that choice, as put forth by Ford as chair of the Council of the Federation.
Afternoon press conference:
More to come (broader press conference with prime minister and premiers at 12:15 pm Pacific Time, now delayed to 1:07 pm).

“Things are going to change in a week,” said Ford. “Retaliatory tariffs need to be hard,” he said regarding the threat of US tariffs upon the Canadian economy.
“I’m going to fight like you’ve never seen before,” said Ford as to pushing back against the US for attacking the Canadian eocnomy.
“How we lift the tariffs as quickly as possible” is the key question, said Trudeau during the press conference. “We will use any and all tools as necessary,” said Trudeau.
“There is unity among the premiers,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
BC Premier weighs in:
“I certainly hope it doesn’t come to a point where Canada needs to impose export tariffs or export bans. In fact I hope we don’t end up in a situation where there are tariffs at all, placed by the Americans,” said BC Premier David Eby in social media today.
“That they come to their senses, that all they’re doing is taxing themselves and its going to dramatically increase prices for everyday Americans.
“But should it come to it, I support the federal government taking the steps that are necessary. As a Canadian and as a British Columbian I’m going to stand strong with Premiers to make sure that we’re not limiting the tools available to the federal government to respond to this. To make sure that the tariffs are as short as possible if they are imposed, that they’re protecting jobs here,” said Eby.
Referring to his virtual participation in the meetings of the prime minister and premiers in Ottawa today, Eby said: “The key message that I had that I think was entirely consistent with what (Alberta) Premier Smith was raising is that it needs to be regionally proportionate. That if there are tariffs that are impacting BC then they need to be similarly impacting other provinces across the country. We can’t be turning to BC and Alberta to carry all the weight of the retaliation against the United States. It’s a shared responsibility. This is economic war time. When we’re in that situation as Canadians we’re all in that position to protect our people, to protect our jobs here in Canada and to protect our country.”
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