President-elect Donald Trump promises to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods starting Monday - the same day of his inauguration. (Canadian Press)

By paNOW Staff

Ready to Respond

Canada prepares counter-tariffs; Sask NDP says threat emphasizes need to focus on northern economy

Jan 17, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa is ready to retaliate if US president-elect Donald Trump slaps Canada with devastating new tariffs

Trudeau says his government “will respond” and “not hesitate to act” if it faces a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff on imports from Canada when Trump returns to the White House Monday.

Two federal government sources say there are multiple options for retaliatory tariffs ready to go.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is in Washington meeting with Republican legislators in the hopes the duties can be avoided arguing they damage both the Canadian and American economies. She told reporters that her US counterparts were “not only surprised” but “very worried” about the consequences of 25 per cent tariffs threatened by the incoming president.

A Canadian Chamber of Commerce analysis shows the tariffs could shrink Canada’s gross domestic product by 2.6 per cent and America’s by 1.6 per cent.

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Earlier in the week, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was in Ottawa where he signed a communique with other premiers saying he will do whatever he can. Despite having policy disagreements with Trudeau, there are times when leaders have to unite.

“That process involves each of us, whether we be a sub-national leader or a part of the federal government today, or months ahead, whoever that might be, is to ensure that North Americans are aware of the impact that these U.S. tariffs will have on all North Americans – in particular on Americans,” said Moe.

The Saskatchewan NDP agrees. Kim Breckner, shadow minister for trade and export development told paNOW there are a lot of things she can criticize Premier Moe for, but signing on to that statement isn’t one of them.

“I was pleased to see a united front. I know the government understands the devastating nature that any type of export tariff would have, or any type of embargo on natural resources to the U.S. So, I’m confident they understand that, and I’m pleased to see a ‘Team Canada’ approach and that focus on telling the story of that trade relationship or the mutual benefits that brings,” said Breckner.

Kim Breckner is the opposition Shadow Minister for Trade and Export Development and the Saskatchewan Research Council. (legassembly.sk.ca)

In the meantime, the NDP is urging the government to focus more on northern Saskatchewan’s economy.

December labour force stats showed 700 jobs were lost in Prince Albert and the north. The NDP called for a ‘made in Saskatchewan’ plan for jobs which they said is more important than ever with the threat of tariffs looming.

“In the talk about tariffs, we’ve been consulting with industry in different economic sectors, different resource groups, and as part of those conversations, we hear a lot about the economic opportunities in the north and we really need to pay more attention and get government that’s focused on the north, getting investment opportunities in the north and creating jobs.”

Brecker said the NDP reached out to Premier Moe to offer any support and resources they can in helping to fight the tariffs.

-with files from CKOM and The Canadian Press

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @ princealbertNOW