HALIFAX—Premiers gathering here for the final day of their annual meeting will discuss health care, federal equalization payments as well as relations with the U.S.
As the 13 provincial and territorial leaders wrap up their talks Wednesday, the outcome of the U.S. election and the impact on trade continues to be top of mind.
Premier Doug Ford told reporters that under the former Trump administration when tariffs were placed on Canadian goods, talks were held with U.S. trade representatives and the matter was resolved within a few weeks.
“We won’t hesitate if they put tariffs on any of our products,” Ford said when asked about tough talk coming from presidential candidates regarding trade.
“We do $500 billion of trade in Ontario alone with the U.S. … We’re the number one customer to 17 states and number two to 11” Ford said, adding other provinces have strong trading ties as well.
“We are an economic powerhouse,” the premier added.
Ford said the message has to be changed from “Buy America” or “America First” to “North America first.”
“At the end of the day, it’s Canada, the U.S. and you can put Mexico in there, against the rest of the world, no matter if it’s South America, Asia, Europe.”
Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King said no matter the outcome of the election, there will “be good discussions and continue the good relationship” with the U.S.
“My job as premier is to work with whoever is elected and to try to do the best we can for the people we serve … We know that we’ve developed a good relationship over the last 100 years when it comes to seafood products” and others.
“We’ll just continue to work with them every day and provide good products to them and they’ll do the same for us.”
The 13 premiers will hold a final press conference Wednesday afternoon.
This is a developing story.
