Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is slamming Alberta’s refusal to sign a joint statement on the plan to respond to Donald Trump’s tariff threats, saying Premier Danielle Smith is not putting Canadians first.
On Wednesday, Smith said Alberta would not agree to impose tariffs on energy or other products being exported to the United States.
Her decision was released in a statement while Trudeau and the other Canadian premiers vowed a collaborative approach to any tariffs, and promised supports for business and regions that could be hard hit.
“Certainly, I don’t blame Danielle Smith for speaking up for her industry,” Trudeau said at a press conference in Windsor. “That’s part of her job.
“But every single premier other than Danielle Smith then chose to put Canada first and say, ‘we’re all part of Team Canada, because what happens to any part of us happens to all of us, and we will be there to respond strongly, to fight for Canada, and to do it in a united way that makes sure that it’s fair across all industries, across all regions.’
“So, yes, premiers should be advocating for their own industries, their own communities, but they should also put their country first, as every single premier except Danielle Smith did.”
Smith, who joined Wednesday’s meeting with the premiers and prime minister virtually since she is on vacation, said she would take “whatever actions are needed to protect the livelihoods of Albertans from destructive federal policies.”
More coming.
–With files from Cormac Mac Sweeney
