Premiers, prime minister meet to talk Trump tariffs after cabinet retreat
By Canadian Press on January 22, 2025.
OTTAWA — Canada’s premiers are meeting virtually with the prime minister today to talk about Donald Trump’s early moves as president and the looming threat of tariffs.
The first ministers have committed to weekly meetings now that Trump has been installed in the White House.
Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing his government to study alleged unfair trade practices by Canada and Mexico and to file a report by April 1.
Later that day, he mused about imposing 25 per cent tariffs on both countries by Feb. 1, calling Canada a “very bad abuser” for allowing illegal drugs and migrants to enter the U.S.
At their last gathering, which was held in-person in Ottawa, 12 of the 13 premiers signed a joint statement pledging to stand united in the face of the tariff threat.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was the lone outlier, and in the days since she has further distanced herself from the group by meeting with U.S. lawmakers and calling for co-operation instead of retaliation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2025.
Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
12-11
The statements and actions by the premier of Alberta serve to make an open display of betrayal to the stated role of her position:
“The premier, as head of the elected government, governs the province on a daily basis in the monarch’s name.”
https://www.alberta.ca/how-government-works
This dereliction of duty strongly suggests that she and her caucus are more focused on a steadfast implementation of the Republic of Western Canada as outlined in the Free Alberta Strategy.
https://www.freealbertastrategy.com/the_strategy
Govern the province for the good of the province . The Turdo and Ford are loud mouth shnooks. Not monarchy. Smith should look after alberta first. The rest of the provinces ( mostly) crap on our economy and industries in the name of protecting environment, with no hesitation. Then greedily take equalization payments from us. Oh yes, we’re all in this together. Over reacting to Pres Trump is not helpful.