‘Existential threat’: Ralph Goodale talks about role on advisory committee ahead of U.S. trade talks

Ralph Goodale, former Sask. Liberal MP and High Commissioner of Canada in the U.K. speaks to CTV News about his new role on a Canada-U.S. advisory committee.

Canadian negotiators are approaching upcoming trade talks with the U.S. with “focus and courage,” according to former Saskatchewan Liberal MP Ralph Goodale.

Goodale sat down with CTV News’ Cole Davenport late last week to discuss some of the aims and objectives of the Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations, to which Goodale has been appointed to.

Goodale said members of the advisory committee honed in on the topic of strategy at a recent meeting ahead of the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

All signatory nations of CUSMA are scheduled to review the free trade agreement on July 1.

“This is a time in international affairs for Canada where we are facing an existential threat and all of those around that table were very anxious to make the most constructive contribution they can to defending and strengthening Canada’s position,” Goodale told CTV News.

However, Goodale stressed that talks between Canada and the U.S. will continue past the review date in order to get the relationship “right” between the two countries.

“What I have heard around the table so far is ‘We need to keep our courage, we need to be focused,’” he said.

“There will be lots of noise, lots of distractions, lots of bright shiny objects running down rabbit holes and we can’t be distracted by all of that. We need to be focused on what Canada needs to achieve, and we need to be patient.”

Goodale said it was important for Canada to remember its leverage and not be rushed into premature deal with long-lasting consequences.

“We’ve got the biggest market for 40 of the American states. The Americans sell more to Canada than they sell to China, Japan, the U.K. and France combined -- we are their biggest customer, and we are one of their biggest suppliers, particularly of energy products,” he added.

Goodale says Canada needs to be strategic in gaining as much market access as possible while protecting itself from vulnerability going forward.

A longtime member of parliament and former cabinet minister, Goodale represented Regina – Wascana from 1993 to 2019, being re-elected seven times. He served in several cabinet positions, including as finance minister from 2003 to 2006. Goodale was most recently appointed as the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He served in that role from 2021 to 2025.

With files from Cole Davenport