Category: News

Canadians collectively say “doesn’t matter bud, you showed us your true colours”.

#ViveleCanada

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As of 9:35am MST on February 3rd, 2025

Justin Trudeau announced Canada will retaliate against America’s 25% with our own 25% tariffs. It includes $155 billion dollars worth of goods from the yanks, with $30 billion effective this Tuesday, February 4th while the remainder will kick in after 21 days to allow for businesses to source products from elsewhere.

On top of the federal tariff’s, several provinces have responded with their own measures to counteract the trade war. Here’s what each premier had to say.

British Columbia

With B.C. potentially losing $69 billion in economic activity and 120,000 jobs between 2025 and 2028, Premier David Eby has announced a three-prong approach to the tariffs. Step one of counter measures has already started Government of BC’s website:

• directing the BC Liquor Distribution Branch to immediately stop buying American liquor from “red states”, and remove the top-selling “red-state” brands from the shelves of public liquor stores; and
• directing the B.C. government and Crown corporations to buy Canadian goods and services first.

His other two measures including expediting projects provincial projects to support local workers, and to diversify trade markets. He noted that the province has identified 10 private-sector projects to expedite — including mines, renewable energy and natural gas — valued at $20 billion.

Alberta

Premier Danielle Smith said she is “…disappointed with U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to place tariffs on all Canadian goods” and the tariffs “will harm Canadians and Americans alike”. Smith has also stated that Alberta would continue to court the US President through diplomatic efforts and economic measures to reverse the tariffs. She stated that her advocacy efforts were the reason for the 10% tariff on oil rather than the sweeping 25% tariff placed on other goods.

Smith is also appealing to Trump that we have a border problem. She reiterated her call to appoint a boarder ‘czar’ – for reference, a total of 23,721, which is just 1.5%, of total people who crossed into the US illegally came from Canada in 2024. In contrast, the US apprehended over 1.5 million people from the Mexican boarder.

Saskatchewan

Premier Scott Moe has stated that “The decision by President Trump to impose tariffs on all Canadian products is disappointing and will damage both our countries’ economies, workers and consumers” and reiterated the point he made in late January that we need to strengthen our border to stop the transfer of fentanyl. Moe has stated that he supports the federal measures, but they shouldn’t be seen as long-term solutions. He has not indicated that the province will retaliate with its own measures.

Manitoba

In response to the tariffs, the Manitoba government is issuing a directive to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) to stop the sale of American products in the province, Premier Wab Kinew announced. As of Tuesday, February 4th, MBLL will pull American products off the shelves and will no longer order American alcohol moving forward. Manitoba farmers are expected to take a major hit, with canola exports being worth $1.3 billion, and a total of $4.5 billion of farming is affected in the province due to tariffs.

Ontario

Premier Doug Ford has responded by removing all American liquor from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) ‘indefinitely’. This amounts to around $1 billion in beer, wine, and hard liquor sales annually. The Premier has said the tariffs are ““unjustified, unfair and frankly, illegal.”

As of February 3rd, he has also cancelled Ontario’s Starlink Contract amounting to $100 million.

EDIT at 4:10pm MST: Dougie walked back on canceling the Starlink Contract with the pause in tariffs. I guess dealing with a Nazi is cool again?

Quebec

Premier Francois Legault has directed the province’s liquor board, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), to remove all American products from its shelves starting Tuesday. It also instructed the SAQ to stop the supply of American alcoholic beverages to grocery stores, restaurants and bars.

Additionally, as of Monday, February 3rd, Economy Minister Christine Fréchette has announced it will greatly limit its business with American companies by imposing a 25 per cent price increase on all calls for tender for government contracts.

New Brunswick

Premier Susan Holt stated that New Brunswick is not ruling out taking American liquor off store shelves in response to the 25 per cent U.S. tariff, following suit of other provinces. She is expected to make a statement later today.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has implemented several measures in response to the tariffs. As of Monday, tolls at the Cobequid Pass will double for commercial vehicles entering from the U.S. Furthermore, he “will look for opportunities to cancel existing contracts and will maintain the option to reject bids outright because of President Trump’s unlawful tariffs” and the province will limit access for provincial procurement for American businesses. 

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation will also remove all U.S. alcohol from store shelves effective this Tuesday. 

PEI

Premier Dennis King as said the PEI Government is taking immediate action to remove U.S.-based products from liquor stores and restrict procurement with U.S. companies.

By Tuesday, all American wines, beers, and spirits will be pulled from provincial liquor store shelves across Prince Edward Island. As the sole wholesaler of these products in the province, the PEI Liquor Control Commission (LCC) will remove them from its catalogue, preventing restaurants and agency stores from reordering or restocking U.S. products.

Additionally, the provincial government is reviewing current procurement agreements with U.S. companies and will, wherever possible, reduce business dealings with them. This includes canceling existing contracts and restricting U.S. companies from bidding on or securing provincial government contracts.

Newfoundland

Following the lead of other provinces, Premier Andrew Furey announced on social media Sunday afternoon that U.S. products will be removed from liquor store shelves across the province starting Tuesday.

He stated that further details on the measures his government will take to protect Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and respond to U.S. tariffs will be provided during a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Yukon

Effective immediately, Premier Pillai has directed the Yukon Liquor Corporation to stop purchasing U.S.-made beer, wine, and spirits. While private licensees may continue selling existing stock, no new orders for American alcohol will be placed. Additionally, the territorial government is reviewing procurement policies to limit business with U.S. companies and reduce reliance on American goods and services.

Northwest Territories

Premier R.J. Simpson said the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is exploring ways to support Canada’s countermeasures against U.S. tariffs. This includes reviewing procurement policies to minimize purchases from U.S. companies and ceasing the Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s orders of American products. He also said he is prioritising the advancement of major infrastructure projects like the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Slave Geological Province Corridor to bolster Canadian supply chains and improve access to valuable mineral resources. He is also supporting investments that enhance national economic diversification, including refining Canadian minerals and resources within Canada to expand trade opportunities.

Nunavut

Premier P.J. Akeeagok has stated that Nunavummiut already face the highest cost of living in Canada, as most goods are flown in from the south. Tariffs could further drive up construction costs, worsening Nunavut’s housing crisis. Amid this trade dispute, Akeeagok urged Canadians to support local products, workers, and businesses. He also reiterated the need for investment in Canada’s Arctic, calling it a “region of opportunity.”