Canada’s provinces were in disagreement over prioritizing tariff-beleaguered industries before President Donald Trump ended trade talks with the country. Ontario’s auto sector clashed with the prairies’ canola industry, while B.C. raised concerns about the lack of attention to its lumber sector, leading to divisions within Team Canada.
Despite Trump’s actions uniting the provinces, underlying tensions persist as tariffs continue to affect various industries. Here is an overview of the most at-risk sectors in each province and the premiers’ responses as Canada navigates new trade relationships.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who says he hasn’t spoken to Donald Trump since the U.S. president cut off trade talks with Canada, took questions while at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia on Monday. Hear Carney’s answers on trade, Trump and whether Canada has a contingency plan.
British Columbia
Concerns were raised by B.C. Premier David Eby about the federal government’s neglect of the lumber industry. He emphasized the need for urgent attention to the forestry sector, comparing it to the response given to other industries in crisis.
Following the U.S. administration’s tariff increases on timber and lumber, which added to existing tariffs, B.C.’s forestry sector faces significant challenges. While energy and raw minerals are the province’s primary exports to the U.S., wood products rank closely behind, supporting over 100,000 jobs in British Columbia.
B.C.’s premier says the province is making ads to “defend British Columbians” and Canada’s forestry industry against U.S. tariffs. As Johna Baylon reports, it comes as Ontario pulls its own ad off the air after it angered U.S. President Donald
