Team Canada mates no more: how tariff threat put Ford and Smith on divergent tracks
out his own vision for Canada’s trade relations with the U.S. in the coming months. And in that vision, the Alberta premier may find a new ally or a new adversary.
In the meantime, the conservative leaders of Alberta and Ontario continue to lead their provinces through the turbulent waters of international trade negotiations and threats of tariffs. Their differing approaches and positions reflect not only their individual personalities and backgrounds but also the unique economic landscapes of their provinces.
As Albertans watch their premier stand firm against the idea of using oil exports as a bargaining chip, they see a leader who is willing to prioritize the interests of her province over those of the nation as a whole. Conversely, Ontarians see a premier who is willing to make sacrifices in one sector to protect another.
The dynamic between these two conservative leaders may be a harbinger of things to come in Canadian politics. As Pierre Poilievre waits in the wings, ready to potentially take the reins of the federal Conservative Party, the tensions between the provinces and the federal government may only intensify.
Whether Alberta’s rocky relationship with the rest of Canada will improve under a new federal leader remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the conservative leaders of Alberta and Ontario are charting their own courses through the stormy seas of international trade, each guided by their own unique set of principles and priorities.
