Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has spoken with Ontario Premier Doug Ford about how the latest U.S. tariffs will affect Ontario businesses and how Alberta can support its eastern cousin.
Smith reiterated that cutting Alberta energy exports to the United States is a non-starter, as Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said he wants to retaliate by cutting off energy and critical minerals exports to the United States. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will respond with counter-tariffs.
The collapse in negotiations and the United States’ subsequent imposition of 50 percent tariffs on various Canadian products will lead to significant job losses in Canada, but Alberta will work to help businesses, workers, and families during these uncertain times, she said.
“I recognize that these tariffs have a disproportionate impact on Ontario businesses, and I’ve offered my support on how we can constructively work together to strengthen the Canadian economy,” Smith said.
Maintaining a strong energy sector is important since it creates a strong Canada and provides revenue that all levels of government can use to support affected sectors, the premier said. Alberta will accelerate the construction of the Northern Shield pipeline from Alberta to Ontario and the oil pipeline to the West Coast, along with other critical export infrastructure.
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“As I’ve said in the past, cutting off Alberta energy exports to the U.S. would be extremely harmful to Canadians and is not a viable option,” she said.
“Right now, our focus must be on immediate action: supporting affected workers and businesses, dismantling interprovincial trade barriers, strong diplomacy and continuing to grow our export markets,” she added. “I look forward to discussing these constructive strategies with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s Premiers.”
Ford hasn’t yet issued a statement on his talk with Smith.
Ford’s Comments
“I’ll cut them off,” Ford said during an interview with the Associated Press published on Aug. 24, while discussing critical minerals. “You won’t get a grain of sand out of Ontario.”
Ford also discussed his threat to turn off electricity to Ontario’s American customers, saying the province would start with a surcharge and “escalate” the situation if the trade war continues.
“Their businesses are fleeing for the United States, and it’s all because of their failed policies, and inept leadership!” Trump wrote.
Meanwhile, Carney was asked at an Aug. 24 press conference whether he supported cutting off electricity and critical minerals to Washington. Carney said he wanted to begin with “positive initiatives,” and will see if “we need to do more.”
Carney added that since the American economy is much larger than Canada’s, it’s difficult to pursue a “dollar-for-dollar” counter-tariff strategy, so Canada’s tariffs will be more targeted.
