Quebec premier open to retaliating to any U.S. tariffs by targeting electricity exports

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Quebec's Francois Legault have both suggested that they would target electricity exports should the US impose tariffs. (Francois Legault / X)

Quebec Premier François Legault floated the possibility of altering hydro electricity exports to the U.S. should President Donald Trump impose tariffs.

Legault made the suggestion on social media while congratulating his “friend” and newly reelected Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

“We agreed to work together to increase trade between Quebec and Ontario,” Legault wrote on X. “If Mr. Trump imposes tariffs, we’re not ruling out jointly implementing retaliatory measures, including on electricity exported to the United States.”

Hyrdo-Quebec said that from 2019 to 2023, it sent an average of 21 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year to the U.S., the equivalent of powering two million homes for a year.

Ford said last week that he was “reviewing the cost of electricity” that the province sends south.

“If he puts tariffs on anything in Canada or Ontario, they’re getting a tariff on their electricity,” he said.

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Canada is the number one supplier of energy to the United States, including more than 99 per cent of U.S. natural gas imports, 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports and 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports in 2023.

More locally, Hydro-Quebec has been exporting energy to New York state for more than 100 years, “beginning with the construction of the 200-MW Les Cèdres–Dennison intertie" in 1914.

Ford made protecting Ontario from U.S. tariff threats one of his campaign promises. Throughout the campaign, he wore “Canada is not for sale” hats and a Canada hockey sweater with the name “Never” on the back above the number 51.

Legault’s remarks come the day after Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said that he had a “productive discussion” with Legault on a way to “strengthen our economic ties, collaborate in key industries, and find ways to create more jobs.”

“Canada is one of Pennsylvania’s most important trading partners — last year, Canada received nearly $15 billion of PA goods, more than any nation in the world,” wrote Shapiro.

Trump said Monday the tariffs, which were pushed back to March 4 after Canada agreed to introduce new security measures at the border, are “going forward on time, on schedule.” His executive order calls for 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy.

With files from CTV News Montreal`s Rachel Lau and The Canadian Press