The provinces’ pretense of a common front, faced with the imminent threat of a trade war from Donald Trump, was very short-lived. The hope of a coordinated and concerted approach to respond to the customs tariffs brandished by the president-elect disappeared almost instantly following the meeting of provincial premiers last week. At the end of which the latter were so busy competing to win the title of “Captain Canada” that they ultimately revealed themselves to be nothing more than free-for-all captains.
At most, provincial leaders agree on the obvious fact that we must succeed in exempting the Canadian economy from the announced assault of Donald Trump. Just as they all unanimously reproach their resigning federal counterpart, Justin Trudeau, for having made Canada’s negotiating position precarious. However, this vacuum in terms of leadership in Ottawa is filled by a discordance of the provinces which is in no way more likely to convince the bully Trump to save.
Whether they advocate the path of diplomacy and pedagogy, or that of escalation and provocation, they all preach first and foremost for their own interests. The most talkative are also the most dependent on this trade with the Americans — Alberta sends 89.6% of its exports south of the border, Ontario 85%, Quebec 74% and British Columbia 57 %.
No wonder, therefore, that Alberta Prime Minister Danielle Smith traveled to Mar-a-Lago to remind the next president that the trade deficit that horrifies him stems from his irremediable dependence on Canadian oil (97% of our exports of black gold supply the country, more than 87% coming from Alberta). A plea supposedly to convince him to dispense with all Canadian products, but also, in passing, to relaunch oil pipeline projects from Alberta to the United States.
Ontarian Doug Ford, for his part, brandished the idea of responding to the tariff offensive by turning off the oil and electricity taps for the Americans – of which Alberta and Quebec are respectively the largest exporters. David Eby in British Columbia would deprive the United States of minerals, including minerals critical — of which Quebec and Ontario are the biggest sellers (respectively 24% and 40% of Canadian exports).
Doug Ford even went so far as to confess that Mme Smith speaks for Albertans, and he speaks strictly for Ontarians. Too preoccupied with preparing his electoral ground, he begins to forget that he chairs the Council of the entire federation.
The provinces’ mission to Washington next month promises to be cacophonous to say the least. Justin Trudeau will have his work cut out for him on Wednesday to rally all these wonderful people by presenting a proposed tariff response that meets his expectations.
-Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, has been more than discreet. His call to keep “a cool head” on the X network was not inappropriate. However, it will also be necessary to reassure Quebecers, to show them that their economic interests are not drowned out in this pan-Canadian debate.
Because no one agrees either, less than a week before Mr. Trump takes office, on the strategy to adopt. Doug Ford and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh are calling for Canada to raise its voice. Mr. Legault and M.me Smith prefers dialogue. Just like Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who ultimately advocates the Trudeau approach, namely to make American elected officials, business leaders and union leaders aware of the economic repercussions that await them. Mr. Poilievre, however, is careful not to do his part, even though his own MP Jamil Jivani is a long-time friend of Vice-President-designate JD Vance. Only Bloc member Yves-François Blanchet, among the federal opposition, seems to rise above the fray.
For the rest, we are far from the Canada team, transparliamentary and transpartisan, having stood up to Mr. Trump during his first term. And of this caliber of politicians being able to put the interests of the country ahead of those of their party.
Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper came to serve as a rare salutary reminder. While allowing himself to criticize Justin Trudeau, he stressed to the Americans that Canadians alone choose their own leaders and admitted to being surprised by the erroneous remarks of Donald Trump, which had nothing to do with those of a “friend, a partner and an ally.
Jean Chrétien added, writing in his open letter that political leaders are not enemies, but adversaries each trying to make a positive contribution. “This spirit is more important than ever,” he said.
Let us hope that this vision of politics is not resolutely from another era, a vision which Canada, faced with the unstable intransigent American giant, still greatly needs.
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