Nova Scotia·New
Tim Houston says the focus must remain on major projects, opportunities, diversifying trade and getting rid of interprovincial trade barriers.
Tim Houston says focus must remain on major projects, diversifying trade
CBC News
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As Canada faces the uncertainty of a new threat of tariffs from the U.S., Nova Scotia’s premier says the country needs to focus on what it can control.
Speaking with the CBC’s David Cochrane on Power and Politics on Wednesday, Premier Tim Houston said “this is a good teaching moment.”
“We have to diversify our economy,” Houston said. “So in Nova Scotia, we’re pushing hard, new markets, new opportunities. We’re using this as a moment for our province, but for our country as well.”
Houston said he wants the focus to remain on major projects, opportunities, diversifying trade and getting rid of interprovincial trade barriers, which he likened to “Whac-A-Mole.”
Houston was speaking in Charlottetown, where the premiers had gathered for their annual summer meeting.
WATCH | Premier Tim Houston on U.S. tariff threat:
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Premiers have different approaches, not divisions on tariff strategy: Houston
July 22|
Duration 6:14
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says Team Canada remains united against new U.S. tariffs, even with varied opinions around the table over the ideal path forward.
The scheduled gathering started less than a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will impose 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports, effective Aug. 19.
The White House has characterized the tariffs as a response to Canada’s retaliation against U.S. trade policy and its discrimination against three U.S. sectors: motor vehicles, alcohol and dairy.
N.S. alcohol ban ‘not coming off’
On Wednesday, Houston doubled down on Nova Scotia’s ban on U.S. alcohol.
“I’ve been very clear with the negotiating team. If there’s a point that that needs to end or it’s helpful to our country to end that, tell me when that is. But until then, it’s not coming off,” he told Cochrane.
Houston called the tariff threat a “high-stakes” moment, but said as the U.S. “continues to ratchet things up, which is obviously what they’re doing, to me it actually feels like we’re closer to a deal.”
He said there’s a lot of “posturing for a negotiation, and hopefully that negotiation is soon.”
“They’re always trying to frame things for where they want to get to. So I just have to think it’s all part of the process from their perspective.”
N.S. committed to Team Canada approach
Meanwhile, Nova Scotia’s finance minister, John Lohr, told reporters Thursday the tariff threat is “clearly a concern,” but noted “sometimes things don’t turn out as advertised with U.S. tariffs.”
“It’s a process. We have to take time to evaluate what is actually happening,” Lohr said. “So maybe the takeaway is to not react too quickly.”
Lohr said the Nova Scotia government is “very committed to the Team Canada approach and working with the prime minister on that.”
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With files from Michael Gorman and the CBC’s Power & Politics
