Despite talk of unity in the face of U.S. tariff threats, when Canada’s premiers and prime minister met in Charlottetown, P.E.I., this week, the divisions in strategy were on full display.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, meanwhile, kept his cards close to his chest, saying that “everything’s on the table if there’s no agreement,” but deflecting every question asking what that means.
He even refuted the notion that he is optimistic about getting a deal done before U.S. President Donald Trump makes good on his latest threat to impose an additional 50-per-cent tariffs on many Canadian goods starting Aug. 19.
“I didn’t say that,” Carney retorted, rebutting a reporter’s insinuation he is positive about the prospect of a deal. “I said that’s what we want. That’s what we’re working towards.”
Eby and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have been more assertive, and Eby suggests he expects the prime minister to be aggressive behind closed doors.
Referencing a proverb attributed to former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, Eby said Carney is “walking quietly but carrying some big sticks.”
“We want to give him the sticks that he needs to be able to engage in these conversations effectively,” Eby said.
A disproportionate number of these new tariffs target B.C. products, and will be especially impactful for the forestry sector. But B.C. also has critical minerals that the U.S. wants — resources its leaders want to invest in, not tariff.
Eby says the Americans should be allowed to pick and choose what they want, “like a buffet.”
But control over critical mineral exports is federal jurisdiction. There is not much Eby can do except prod the federal government to use it as a “stick.”
Eby says he has pressed this privately in conversations with both the Prime Minister and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra.
“We either have a partnership where we work together, and we build on our mutual strengths, or we don’t,” Eby said.
But while B.C.’s premier seems ready to allow his province’s resources to be used by the prime minister as cards in the fight, others do not seem so inclined.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, for example, have been more conciliatory in their approaches.
Moe told reporters he didn’t want to pick a fight with Canada’s largest trading partner.
B.C. Conservative interim caucus leader Heather Maahs highlighted this online, suggesting it is a better strategy. She says Eby’s NDP has “oppositional defiant disorder.”
Eby fired back at this notion, saying Conservatives’ plan would amount to “bowing down and apologizing to President Trump,” and that showing this “weakness” would not result in a good deal.
And he seemed to take a shot at those other provinces for not joining the fight.
“We’re not going to volunteer Alberta’s oil, we’re not going to volunteer Saskatchewan’s potash,” Eby said. “But I will say as the premier of B.C., our province has always stepped up to defend Canadians and we will do it again.”
But he also called the diversity of tactics a strength, saying it is beneficial to have some provinces engaging more directly with the U.S., while others are more aggressive.