Five days prior to the inauguration of the new president, Justin Trudeau brought together the premiers in Ottawa to address the looming crisis. After the meeting, Trudeau highlighted their unified purpose and commitment to moving forward together. Ontario Premier Doug Ford emphasized the collaborative effort as a “Team Canada approach.”
While the premiers didn’t see eye to eye on all issues, there was a display of political unity. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith resisted the idea of imposing a surcharge on oil exports to the U.S., whereas Ford commended the diverse political parties for engaging in constructive discussions despite potential disagreements.
However, as time passed, cracks in this united front began to emerge. Various premiers, such as British Columbia’s David Eby and Manitoba’s Wab Kinew, advocated for different sectors to receive more attention and support in trade negotiations. Ford expressed concerns over the impact of lifting tariffs on electric vehicles from China on domestic vehicle production.
The differences in opinions among the premiers have raised questions about the effectiveness of Canadian negotiators in facing American demands. There have been calls for more regular meetings among the first ministers to address these challenges and foster better collaboration.
Efforts to enhance communication and cooperation, such as advisory councils on Canada-U.S. relations, could help build trust and minimize public disagreements. The unity of Canadian leaders is crucial for Prime Minister Carney to navigate trade negotiations with the U.S. and reshape the Canadian economy in response to global changes.