Saskatchewan Premier Moe Provides Reasons for Not Rejecting Ottawa/Premiers’ Joint Statement, Unlike Alberta’s Smith

January 20, 2025 TruthUSA

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe states that he signed the joint statement between Ottawa and the premiers last week, unlike Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, because its wording didn’t conflict with his province’s position and he wasn’t aware at the time about Smith’s objections.

Smith declined to sign the statement, which addressed the potential for retaliation in response to U.S. tariffs. She objected to federal officials’ ongoing discussion of cutting off energy exports to the United States as a potential retaliatory measure.

Moe also expressed his disapproval of Canada imposing tariffs on its own exports to increase pressure on the United States but noted that he didn’t see any such wording in the joint statement issued on Jan. 15.

He mentioned that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should have amended the statement if there were any issues that Smith raised.

“It’s not an agreement, it’s the communique as to what happened in the meeting. We didn’t take opposition with that,” Moe said in a Jan. 19 interview on the Roy Green Show. “I understand where Premier Smith is coming from. I would have hoped that the prime minister would have found some wording if she had an issue with the wording.”

Moe mentioned that due to the tight time frame between the end of the meeting and the start of the press conference on Jan. 15, he didn’t have the chance to speak to Smith. He learned about Smith’s refusal from the prime minister. Moe expressed his willingness to change the wording in the document to address Alberta’s concerns.

Moe later had a conversation with Smith and learned about her concerns regarding the possibility of export tariffs being considered by the federal government. He reiterated his province’s strong opposition to export tariffs, stating that they would only worsen the impact of U.S. tariff threats on Canadians.

Joint Statement

Canada’s premiers and Trudeau convened on Jan. 15 to discuss the country’s response to the tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. The tariffs would be imposed on all Canadian products unless the country addresses concerns related to illegal immigration and drug flow into the United States.

While most first ministers emerged from the meeting advocating for a “united” Canadian response, Smith refused to sign the final communique, citing her province’s inability to fully support Ottawa’s plan while the federal government considers energy export bans or cuts as part of a retaliatory response.

Smith faced criticism from Trudeau and some premiers, including Ontario’s Doug Ford, for prioritizing her province’s interests over putting Canada first.

The joint statement outlines that all levels of government will enhance border security to address Trump’s concerns, and if Ottawa enacts retaliatory measures, support will be provided to minimize the economic impact on Canadian workers and businesses.

Ottawa revealed a $1.3 billion plan to strengthen border security. Both Alberta and Saskatchewan have also implemented plans to bolster security at their shared U.S. border.

Trump did not impose the threatened tariffs on the first day of his new term but suggested they may be implemented on Feb. 1.

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