Home Government Council of the Federation Premiers want federal-provincial meeting on Canada-US relations

Premiers want federal-provincial meeting on Canada-US relations

"...who among your cabinet ministers will serve as lead for your government..." writes COF Chair Doug Ford. | "25% tariff by USA would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S."

council of the federation, canada's premier, 2024
Canada's Premiers (Nov 2024 / Council of the Federation)
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Monday November 25, 2024 | NATIONAL [Posted at 12:53 pm PST | Updated 5:39 pm]

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends


Canada’s Premiers want a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Canada-US relations. And soon.

“As you know, there is no partnership more important to the economic success of Canada than the one we share with the US,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford who chairs the Council of the Federation (Canada’s Premiers).

doug ford, ontario premier, council of the federation
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is the current Council of the Federation chair. [COF / Nov 2024]

“As such, Premiers agreed at our November 20th meeting on the need to meet urgently as First Ministers to discuss a Team Canada approach to engaging with the incoming administration, including on trade, secure borders, energy, defence and the strength of our cross-border supply chains,” said Ford in his letter to the prime minister dated today November 25.

council of the federation, canada's premier, 2024
Canada’s Premiers (Nov 2024 / Council of the Federation)

Who will lead cross-border negotiations:

The letter continues: “As part of this Team Canada approach, we require clarity from you about how you propose to include and engage with Premiers as we enter the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, including who among your cabinet ministers will serve as lead for your government.”

The past cabinet lead for the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (former NAFTA agreement) was current Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

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Change of administration:

“As we look to welcome the incoming U.S. administration, it is important that we act now to work together and seize this opportunity to grow and strengthen our historic partnership with the U.S. We look forward to hearing from you shortly on timing for a First Ministers’ Meeting,” wrote Ford, referring of course to the looming change of U.S. administration on January 20, 2025 when Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.

donald trump, justin trudeau, 2017
President Donald Trump greeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau upon his arrival at the White House in Washington, Feb 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Trump is known for reactive and unpredictable moves regarding the economy and political positions on things that oftentimes impact other countries and economies beyond the U.S. borders. In particular, the U.S. economy has a significant impact on the Canadian economy in both direct and indirect ways.

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Events at Christmas time in community and with friends.

On the Canadian front, the top administration may soon change within the next 12 months, as a Canadian federal election looms. The election is presently scheduled for October 20, 2025 but that could change if the Liberals lose confidence of the House between now and summer 2025. The Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre have been strong in the polls for over a year; it’s thought that a Conservative government might relate more effectively with a Trump administration at least with regard to business and the economy.

Announcement about Trump planning a 25% tariff:

This afternoon, President-Elect Donald Trump announced in social media his current intention to apply a 25% tariff to all Canadian products that are imported into the United States.

“A 25 per cent tariff would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S.,” said Doug Ford in social media. “The federal government needs to take the situation at our border seriously. We need a Team Canada approach and response—and we need it now. Prime Minister Trudeau must call an urgent meeting with all premiers.”

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