Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is summoning his provincial counterparts to Ottawa on Wednesday next week to discuss the Canadian-American relationship, a source in his entourage who was not authorized to speak publicly told The Canadian Press on Tuesday evening.
The summons comes after British Columbia Premier David Eby said provincial premiers must take the lead in combating threats of tariffs from US President-elect Donald Trump, following the announcement of the resignation of Prime Minister Trudeau.
According to Mr. Eby, he and other prime ministers plan to travel to Washington, where Mr. Trump will be inaugurated this month, to try to convince him to abandon his proposed tariffs.
This announcement comes the same day Mr. Trump threatened to use “economic force” to make Canada 51e State and promised substantial tariffs on Canada and Mexico in his first news conference since his election victory was certified.
Mr. Eby said provincial and territorial leaders have planned a virtual meeting this Wednesday to discuss how they can coordinate, in light of the announcement that Prime Minister Trudeau will resign once a new leader liberal will be chosen.
“Given the current state of the federal government, it is the Prime Ministers of Canada who took the initiative on this issue, and we will therefore continue to work in this direction,” he stressed.
Mr. Eby said the premiers will argue that the proposed tariffs “will mean a significant increase in prices for Americans” on costs like homes and electricity.
The date for the provincial premiers’ trade mission to Washington has not yet been set.
“Totally unjustified”
Donald Trump has already said he will impose a 25% tariff on imports from the United States’ closest neighbors unless they stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants across the border.
According to Mr. Eby, the tariffs are “completely unjustified” and that problems at the border can be resolved without tariffs.
“It makes no sense to punish both Americans and Canadians to solve this problem. We can do it together,” said Mr. Eby on Tuesday.
The House of Commons in Ottawa is prorogued until March 24 and many expect a new Liberal leader to be in place before then.
British Columbia MPs are not expected to return to the House until mid-February.
Mr. Eby said there was “no doubt” the legislature would be recalled immediately if it was necessary to coordinate its work with Ottawa to respond to the tariffs.
“So if a retaliatory measure, for example, required provincial legislation, or if there was a coordinated border initiative that required provincial legislation, we would not hesitate,” he said.
“No such proposal has yet been made. We will have discussions this Wednesday with premiers from across Canada to ensure we are coordinating our efforts. And I hope that, even despite the Prime Minister’s resignation, the federal government will be able to participate meaningfully in our efforts moving forward,” he added.
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