Trump has done more for Canada’s national sovereignty in nine weeks than the Trudeau Liberals have in governing over these past nine years. Pictured: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s Premiers. Photo Credit: Justin Trudeau/X.
With the election of Donald Trump, the political sands have shifted on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border and, as witnessed at this week’s First Ministers’ Meeting in Ottawa, the changes have exposed an existential crisis in Canada. It seems that incoming U.S. President has accomplished more for Canada’s national sovereignty and Canadians’ security and safety in nine weeks than the Trudeau Liberals have in governing the land over these past nine years. And with a few mocking social media posts, Trump has also done more for Canadians’ pride in their country than Justin Trudeau and his progressive sect are capable of, given their constant denigrating narratives on the country and its citizens.
Last week while on a media tour of U.S. news talk shows, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked by Jake Tapper of CNN what is the essence of a Canadian identity, to which our prime minister blurted, “anything not American.” Of all the answers to this question, Trudeau’s response is one expected from a progressive post-nationalist who does not believe in Canada as a remarkable country with a proud history of accomplishments. In the following days many countrymen, including former prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper, have eloquently articulated what it means to be Canadian, which underscored just how inadequate Trudeau’s hollow response was as the leader of the country.
Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st state have been particularly irritating for Canadians and have resulted in much bravado by federal and provincial politicians scurrying to the head of the parade to declare their defence of Canada’s national sovereignty. Indeed, Liberal MPs found their patriotic backbone after having spent the last nine years virtual signaling on Canada’s shameful colonial settler past and leading Canadians through self-flagellation exercises to atone for the deeds of our forefathers. The Trudeau Liberals are still actively rewriting the country’s history to pillory nation builders in an effort to dull and ultimately kill our conscience of nationhood. So, as Canucks begin to rediscover their sense of being Canadian, the backslap felt by Trump is being recognized as a barbed mic drop on the Trudeau Liberals.
More significant though is Trump’s intention to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports. Since Trudeau first dined with Trump at Mar-A-Lago in late November, it was evident that there is a widened gulf of trust and understanding between the two men. On many levels the gulf is philosophical – Trump the nationalist versus Trudeau the globalist – but the philosophical world view differences are readily seen in the practical policy issues where Trump is demanding America’s allies to be more accountable. In effect, the incoming president is challenging Canada to be more accountable on its border security, drug trafficking policies, and the country’s immigration system.
Because of the tariff threat, the Liberals are finding themselves in an uncomfortable position of adjusting their policies and addressing facts that they would rather not have admitted. For instance, they have walked back their immigration targets, reinstated criminal background checks on migrants before entering the country, and reinstated visas for travelers from Mexico. They have announced a new North American task force targeting organized crime and synthetic drug trafficking, and new measures for 24/7 border surveillance. They have also stepped up border security to detect fentanyl and the equipment to make dangerous drugs (and notice the number of well publicized drug busts in BC). At every opportunity the Liberals are reiterating their newfound commitment to NATO and have made public statements about both Arctic defence and a new Forces recruitment drive. Lastly, the Liberals are heralding a $1.3-billion plan to boost border security. All of this activity has been moved on by the Liberals in the last nine weeks, in answer to Trump’s prompt for greater accountability.
Trudeau’s resignation announcement is a significant factor when forecasting how the country will negotiate impending tariffs in the weeks and months to come. The Trump administration will be taking office as the Trudeau Liberal administration is caretaking its ministerial responsibilities. Trudeau will soon be replaced by another Liberal globalist, either World Economic Forum Trustee Chrystia Freeland or United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance Mark Carney. Moreover, the Liberal government itself is not likely to survive their impending election fate when Canadians finally get a chance to vote.
The lame-duck government situation in Ottawa has resulted in a leadership vacuum that has been filled by a number of outspoken Canadian premiers. The dean of the group, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, has repeatedly called for a federal election to clarify Canada’s political legitimacy. Moe has bluntly stated: “We would ask Prime Minister Trudeau to do the right thing, to give Canadians the opportunity to make the choice on who is going to represent them at the table…” Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been pugnacious in addressing Trump’s trade threat of tariffs, “The country comes first and we will continue to fight these tariffs and we will use every tool at our disposal.” He has made headlines calling on Canadians to avoid buying American and seek out “Made in Canada” products. Ford is also mugging for cameras modelling a ballcap “Canada is Not for Sale.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is taking a different tact, building a bridge over the Trudeau-Trump gulf to open the possibilities of mitigating the tariff war between countries. Smith has been stalwart in her presentation of the Canadian case, meeting with American state governors, appearing on U.S. news shows, announcing a comprehensive provincial border security initiative, and visiting Mar-A-Lago to talk directly with Trump. This weekend she is heading to Washington D.C. to conduct key discussions with political offices while attending President Trump’s Inauguration Party.
On the matter of North American energy security, the Alberta Premier is well positioned to speak for the interests of oil and gas trade between the countries. Alberta is Canada’s largest oil and gas producer, and almost all of the Canadian resource is exported to the United States. Alberta alone exports $13.3 billion of energy to the U.S. every month. Canadian oil and gas accounts for approximately two-thirds of all U.S. crude oil imports. There are over 500 American operating refineries and petrochemical plants depending on the raw crude oil from Canada.
Given the countries’ labyrinthine oil and gas industry, Smith has been resolute that it not be factored as a negotiation tactic. It risks the energy security on both sides of the border and, should negotiations go sour, it is a price too large to pay for Canadians given the unparalleled contribution that oil and gas makes to the country’s economic wellbeing. On this point, Smith has drawn a line in the sand: “Alberta will not support a tariff war with our largest trading partner and closest ally.” For the premier there is also the fact that shutting down the province’s oil and gas production would also be devastating for Albertans, which is why Smith suggests there will be a national unity crisis if the federal Liberals move to block energy exports.
On Wednesday, Trudeau called a First Ministers meeting in Ottawa to discuss possible scenarios for a “Team Canada” approach in the anticipated Canada-U.S. trade stand-off in the weeks ahead. Trudeau was quick in reiterating “nothing’s off the table” when it comes to Canada’s retaliatory measures. He repeated this condition through the day and wrapped up the meeting pressing his point with an “official joint statement.”
As Trudeau and all fellow premiers expected, Smith remained steadfast: “Federal government officials continue to publicly and privately float the idea of cutting off energy supply to the U.S. and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy and other products to the United States. Until these threats cease, Alberta will not be able to fully support the federal government’s plan in dealing with the threatened tariffs… Alberta will simply not agree…”
The Alberta Premier’s stand was criticized by eastern politicians and legacy media. Displaying a self-righteous Laurentian bias as to what is good for “Team Canada,” Alberta was painted as the selfish black sheep of the confederation. In Calgary, the heart of Canadian oil country, the headlines were equally testy, “Danielle Smith painted as national demon for shattering premiers’ unity” and “Smith is no traitor and neither are Albertans”.
Tasha Kheiriddin of the National Post recently wrote a sobering editorial piece that forewarns of the danger ahead for a country not aware of itself. In her column, “Liberal response to Trump tariffs could break the country apart” she states that using Alberta oil as a bargaining chip runs a real risk of fueling western separation. Kheiriddin writes, “If the federal government isn’t careful, it could inflame the ‘Wexit’ movement, which, for the first time, would be feasible, because it could find a willing partner in Washington.”
Last word this week is from Smith. For eastern Canadians who might be confused by or dismissive of the existential challenge before the country, Smith provides an explanation of Alberta’s rationale on X and she states, “We will take whatever actions are needed to protect the livelihoods of Albertans from such destructive federal policies. We also urge our entire nation to use this tariff threat as an opportunity to correct the misguided direction of this country…”
Of course, there is a striking irony in all of this when one considers that 40 years ago it was former prime minister Pierre Trudeau that gave the finger to Alberta. And yet, much like Canada has with Alberta, both Trudeau prime ministers have lived large off the inheritance of Charles-Emile Trudeau – and his fortunes amassed with gas stations.
Chris George is an advocate, government relations advisor, and writer/copy editor. As president of a public relations firm established in 1994, Chris provides discreet counsel, tactical advice and management skills to CEOs/Presidents, Boards of Directors and senior executive teams in executing public and government relations campaigns and managing issues. Prior to this PR/GR career, Chris spent seven years on Parliament Hill on staffs of Cabinet Ministers and MPs. He has served in senior campaign positions for electoral and advocacy campaigns at every level of government. Today, Chris resides in Almonte, Ontario where he and his wife manage www.cgacommunications.com. Contact Chris at chrisg.george@gmail.com.
