Alberta is being singled out for defending its interests after years of putting Canada first. Pictured: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Photo Credit: Danielle Smith/X.
The past couple of days have seen some interesting developments among Canadian politicians in terms of how our country should react to potential threats by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. An important meeting took place this week with all provincial premiers and Prime Minister Trudeau to plot strategy ahead of Trump’s inauguration next week and the possibility of imminent tariffs being imposed on Canada’s exports to the US. The fact that such a meeting happened and such plans were being devised mere days before Trump becomes U.S. President speaks to the incompetence of many of our so-called “leaders” and their inability to do their jobs properly.
In retrospect, it seems that the federal Liberals and many provincial premiers were counting on a U.S. election victory for the Democrats and didn’t even consider the very real possibility that Trump could win and do what he has done previously – punish his major trading partners. Canadians should be disgusted with our politicians who have left us so vulnerable and unprepared for the possibility of major and very damaging actions by the incoming US administration. The federal Liberal party’s internal navel-gazing because of Trudeau’s consistent inability to put Canadian interests ahead of those of him personally and the Liberal party is the key reason we are so ill-prepared.
What took place at the meeting was anything but “Team Canada.” The meeting ended with a declaration signed by all provincial premiers – except Alberta Premier Danielle Smith – and the prime minister expressing their willingness to use all the tools in the so-called toolbox to oppose any Trump tariffs imposed on Canada. Smith’s refusal to sign the statement was based on her concern that the number one tool that would be used is oil and gas exports to the U.S. from Alberta. Trudeau and some of his senior ministers have in recent days also said a tariff or tax on our oil and gas exports could be imposed as a retaliatory measure to any Trump tariffs. Of all exports from Canada to the U.S., oil and gas are number one and would have the most negative impact on U.S. consumers and businesses.
Smith’s refusal to sign on to something in which her province’s interests were in the most danger of being harmed has precipitated a pile-on by other premiers as well as Trudeau. Considering that Trudeau has treated Alberta like dirt for years, he’s got quite the nerve to now be calling on Smith to “put Canada first.” Canadians would be justified in asking when Trudeau has ever put Canada first in his long tenure as prime minister, as he has consistently prioritized his misguided and expensive climate crusade and social justice warrior priorities above anything that would actually be of benefit to Canada.
In reality, Alberta has for decades been “putting Canada first,” contributing many hundreds of billions of dollars more to the rest of the country than they have ever received. Yet Alberta is continually treated poorly by the federal government and many other provinces that are nevertheless happy to receive their equalization payments. A key reason Alberta is so dependent upon oil and gas exports to the U.S. is because the federal government and other parts of Canada – notably Quebec – have been opposed to pipelines that would allow a diversification of our energy exports to other countries, to the great advantage of the Canadian economy is general.
Smith might have been more inclined to sign off on the final declaration if some of the other provinces put some of their own interests on the table. For instance, Ontario Premier Doug Ford could have suggested a tax on auto exports and Quebec could have offered to do something about Canada’s regressive dairy and poultry supply management system that is a major impediment to every trade negotiation that Canada enters into. Other provinces putting more skin in the game would have been a helpful measure to encourage national unity. Perhaps Quebec could have offered to approve a future Energy East-type pipeline, which would not only benefit Alberta but all of Canada. Just a thought. But no, Alberta’s ox was the one most likely to be gored, and Smith reacted accordingly.
Ironically, Smith has been the Canadian politician who has worked hardest to meet with many U.S. politicians, including Trump, to present the Canadian case. Time will tell if her efforts have borne fruit and staved off some of the worst potential U.S. actions, but you can’t fault her efforts. Most other premiers have done little but whine about the American bullies about to kick sand in the face of the Canadian weaklings.
Unhelpfully, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, who is expected to announce her run for the Liberal leadership soon, weighed in with a tweet on the issue. Her comments that she was a proud Albertan (born there yet treated the province horribly while in government), stands “with all of Canada” and asks Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre if he will “stand up for Canada or stand with Danielle Smith?”. Shame on her for such a divisive comment, but after almost 10 years of Liberal policy to divide Canada, that seems to have become a bad habit.
It’s not a good thing for Canada that the premiers are not all in agreement on their approach to the U.S., but the notion of piling on one politician for protecting her jurisdiction, which has been abused for years, should be a non-starter for the other provincial premiers. Truth be told, too many of these provincial politicians are using the possibility of a trade war with the U.S. to grandstand for their own partisan political interests, while claiming to be standing up for Canada. About the best thing you can say about the press conference following the premiers’ meeting is that at least Ford had a cute baseball cap, which stated “Canada is not for sale.” It’s doubtful, however, that hat diplomacy will have much of an impact on Trump.
She has published numerous articles in journals, magazines & other media on issues such as free trade, finance, entrepreneurship & women business owners. Ms. Swift is a past President of the Empire Club of Canada, a former Director of the CD Howe Institute, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages, past President of the International Small Business Congress and current Director of the Fraser Institute. She was cited in 2003 & 2012 as one of the most powerful women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network & is a recipient of the Queen’s Silver & Gold Jubilee medals.
