Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will invite provincial and territorial premiers to Ottawa next Wednesday to discuss Canada-U.S. relations.
The invitation follows a request from Ontario Premier Doug Ford for his first cabinet meeting on Monday.
“Now more than ever, it is important that Canada demonstrates stability, strength and unity,” Ford said in the letter, adding that Ottawa should regularly engage with the provinces on the future of U.S. relations. added.
“This approach allows us to move quickly and take a coordinated approach, especially given the evolving situation with your governments as the new U.S. administration takes office.”
Prime Minister Trudeau announced Monday that he will step down as prime minister and federal Liberal leader once a replacement has been appointed. The move comes two weeks before US President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Since his re-election in November, President Trump has threatened to impose steep tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, citing concerns about the U.S. border.
A source close to Trudeau told CBC News on Monday that part of the reason he decided to stay on for now is to deal with President Trump’s transition and the threat of tariffs. Trump will be inaugurated on January 20th.
January 15th will be the first time Trudeau will meet directly with prime ministers since February 2023. Prime Minister Trudeau previously met virtually with prime ministers in late November to discuss Canada-U.S. relations.
President-elect Donald Trump again outlined the issue with Canada on Tuesday, citing concerns about Canada’s military and claiming the United States is subsidizing Canada’s economy. He denied using military force against Canada and said he would rely on “economic power” when he returned to the Oval Office.
In recent weeks, President Trump has advocated on social media for Canada to become the “51st state” to join the United States and repeatedly referred to Prime Minister Trudeau as “the governor.”
At a news conference Tuesday, a bombastic President Trump said he would consider using “economic power” to bring Canada and the United States together.
“It’s really going to be something,” he said in Palm Beach, Florida.
“National security would be much better if we removed the artificial lines and thought about what they look like.”
Late Tuesday, Prime Minister Trudeau denied President Trump’s claims in a social media post.
“There is no snowballing chance that Canada will become part of the United States,” Trudeau wrote in X.
“Workers and communities in both countries benefit from being each other’s largest trade and security partner.”
“Canada will never be the 51st province. Forever,” Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poièvre said in a statement of his own.
In X, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh made his own threat against Trump.
“No Canadian wants to join you. We are proud Canadians, proud to take care of each other and protect our country. Your attacks will negatively impact jobs on both sides of the border.” will give,” he wrote.
“You come for Canadian jobs, Americans will pay the price.”
