N.B. premier says province not considering cutting off power to Maine at this time

N.B. Premier Susan Holt says the province needs to retool its economy in light of the trade war with the United States.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says the province is not considering cutting off power to Maine in the immediate future, but if the tariff situation between Canada and the United States worsens, it could become an option.

“The situation would have to change dramatically,” she said. “There’s a question of cutting off power and a question of adding tariffs to power.

“We buy power from Maine and they could take the same tact which would end up costing us money.”

As the trade war between Canada and the United States grinds on, Holt hosted an update on the impact of tariffs on the province Thursday afternoon.

“There has been a lot going on in our province and the world,” she said. “I have been getting your messages, your phone calls, and hearing from you in the community about how you’re feeling. We heard you. We are going through something that is unprecedented.”

Holt noted that many New Brunswickers have asked her to take a similar approach as Ontario Premier Doug Ford and impose a surcharge on electricity the province sells to Maine. She said less than half of New Brunswick’s contracts with Maine do not allow them to levy additional fees or tariffs on electricity.

“Anything we do to them we are at risk of them doing to us,” she said. “We’re choosing not to use that tool at this moment. We believe it is not the time for escalation.

“It makes sense to feel angry and want to lash out. We are trying to do this with cooler heads that will prevail.”

Beyond electricity, Holt said the province is looking at its procurement policy with U.S. companies. It has also removed U.S. alcohol from store shelves and stopped future purchases.

“Everything is being considered,” Holt said, citing opportunities in critical mineral mining in the province. “We need to retool our economy. We need to reduce our dependence on the U.S.”

Green Party Leader David Coon said the premier should work more with existing industries that are already struggling.

“What’s going to happen to timber?” he said. “What’s going to happen with our fisheries, potatoes? There needs to be a strong focus on what to do for those export sectors.”

Earlier this week, Holt said the ongoing tariffs have made it difficult to balance the budget, which is set to be tabled later this month.

“We need to respond in the most strategic ways possible,” she said. “These tariffs are causing pain right now. Life is challenging for New Brunswickers right now.”

One of those challenges, Holt acknowledged, are high bills from NB Power. The government has ordered an independent audit into those bills, which is set to be ready by April. Holt said they’re looking at the utility’s regulatory environment and debt payment, among other factors.

“We’re exploring every possible opportunity,” she said. “We need to do something different with this utility. I feel your frustration at the NB Power bills that have gone up.”

Holt said she would provide another update on the tariff situation next Thursday.

“We don’t know what the president of the United States is going to do tomorrow,” she said. “We’re ready to weather this storm together.”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore

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