Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford discussed Canada’s ongoing trade war during a Monday phone call. Ford said during a morning news conference that he and Smith would have a call to discuss what needs to be done to “protect Canadian workers” following the collapse of trade negotiations Friday. In a statement sent to CTV News, Smith confirmed the pair chatted on Monday. “I recognize that these tariffs have a disproportionate impact on Ontario businesses, and I’ve offered my support on how we can constructively work together to strengthen the Canadian economy,” Smith said. “A strong energy sector creates a strong Canada. It can provide the revenue all levels of government will need to support other impacted sectors. That’s why we are committed to accelerating the construction of pipelines, including the Northern Shield pipeline from Alberta to Ontario and the oil pipeline to the West Coast, and other critical export infrastructure. “As I’ve said in the past, cutting off Alberta energy exports to the U.S. would be extremely harmful to Canadians and is not a viable option. “Right now, our focus must be on immediate action: supporting affected workers and businesses, dismantling interprovincial trade barriers, strong diplomacy and continuing to grow our export markets.” Smith says she looks forward to “discussing these constructive strategies” with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s premiers. Carney has accused the U.S. of trying to introduce last-minute measures which could have restricted Canada’s ability to do deals with other countries and protect its culture. On Monday, Carney said Canada will go back to the negotiating table on a trade deal once the United States changes its attitude and stops treating Canada as a subsidiary. Ford, meanwhile, called Donald Trump a “dictator” and the “king of bankruptcies” after the U.S. president criticized him on social media on Monday afternoon. With files from The Canadian Press
