EDITORIAL: Premiers map way to survive tariffs

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Prime Minister Mark Carney made his obligatory trip to the White House this week. The only assurance he came away with was that U.S. President Donald Trump doesn’t intend to lift his ruinous tariffs any time soon. And he will “never say never” to this country becoming the 51st state. 

The task for Carney now is to ensure that our economy is resilient and self-sufficient. 

Two premiers this week delivered their proposals, aimed at ensuring the economic vitality of their provinces. 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford asked for help from the feds for major infrastructure projects. His five key priorities are financial aid to develop mining for critical minerals in the Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario; expanding nuclear power generation; a deep sea port on James Bay; transit expansion; and a feasibility study for a tunnel under Hwy. 401. 

While the tunnel has been criticized as being unworkable and the mining project is remote and inaccessible, these are all reasonable projects that would boost employment in a province that’s already been hit by auto industry layoffs. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing a difficult balancing act and the federal government would be wise not to ignore her requests. 

In a speech this week, Smith dismissed the idea that she’s pushing for separation. However, she wants fairness. That includes guarantees of access to tidewater off the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic coasts for the export of oil, gas and critical minerals and an end to the ban on tankers off the B.C. coast. She also wants Ottawa to repeal the so-called No More Pipelines Bill, C-69, which Alberta says will stymie future resource development.  

Smith also wants changes on equalization payments. 

“We have no issue with Alberta continuing to subsidize smaller provinces with their needs, but there is no excuse for such large and powerful economies in Ontario, Quebec and B.C. or Alberta to be subsidizing one another. That was never the intent of equalization,” she said. 

Ford’s tunnel may sound fanciful and Smith may seem excessive in her demands. They’re not nearly as fanciful and excessive as the Net Zero pipe dream that Carney has pursued. 

If Trump’s tariffs are here to stay, Canada needs to unleash the full force of its economic potential. It’s a matter of survival.