Ford, Holt agree with Carney — almost nothing is ‘normal’ with U.S. right now

By Canadian Press on January 28, 2026.

OTTAWA — Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt both say they agree with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s suggestion this week that “almost nothing” is normal right now with the United States.

The two made the comments at a news conference in Ottawa today, where they sought to highlight Canadian resilience in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff war.

The two premiers point to a sharp increase in Ontario exports shipping through Port Saint John, which more than doubled over the past year.

Premiers are huddling today and tomorrow in the nation’s capital to present a united “Team Canada” front as trade tensions with the United States rise ahead of negotiations to renew the North American free trade pact.

But ongoing interprovincial tensions are hanging over the meetings — such as B.C.’s frustration with Ottawa’s endorsement of a pipeline to the West Coast, and Manitoba’s concerns about Ontario planning to pull Crown Royal whisky from government-run liquor store shelves.

B.C. Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met with Carney today, while all the premiers will meet with Carney on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 28, 2026.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press