Trudeau inviting premiers to Ottawa as Trump inauguration looms
President-elect said Tuesday that the U.S. could use 'economic force' to absorb Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is inviting provincial and territorial premiers to Ottawa next Wednesday to discuss Canada-U.S. relations.
The invitation follows a request for a first ministers' meeting from Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Monday.
"It has never been more important that Canada demonstrate stability, strength and unity," Ford wrote in his letter, adding that Ottawa should be regularly engaging with the provinces on U.S. relations going forward.
"This approach will ensure we can act quickly and be co-ordinated in our approach, especially in light of the developing situation with your government, as the new U.S. administration takes office."
Trudeau announced Monday that he would resign as prime minister and leader of the federal Liberal Party once a replacement has been chosen. The move came two weeks before U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.
Since his re-election in November, Trump has threatened to impose hefty tariffs on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico over concerns about the United States borders.
A source close to Trudeau told CBC News on Monday that part of the reason the prime minister decided to remain in office for now is to deal with the Trump transition, and the tariff threat. Trump will take office on Jan. 20.
Jan. 15 will be the first time Trudeau has met with the premiers in person since February 2023. He previously met with premiers virtually at the end of November to discuss Canada-U.S. relations.
In recent weeks, Trump has taken to social media to claim that Canada should become the "51st state" and join the U.S. and has repeatedly referred to Trudeau as "governor."
At a news conference on Tuesday, a bombastic Trump said he would consider using "economic force" to join Canada and the United States together.
"That would really be something," he said in Palm Beach, Fla.
"You get rid of the artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like and it would also be much better national security."
Later Tuesday, Trudeau dismissed Trump's assertions in a social media post.
"There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau wrote on X.
"Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner."
In his own statement, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said "Canada will never be the 51st state. Period."
On X, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made his own threat against Trump.
"No Canadian wants to join you. We are proud Canadians. Proud of the way we take care of each other and defend our nation. Your attacks will hurt jobs on both sides of the border," he wrote.
"You come for Canadians' jobs, Americans will pay a price."
WATCH | Who's best positioned to respond to Trump's threat to acquire Canada with 'economic force?'
Premier Ford has made several appearances on American TV networks in recent weeks to make the case against tariffs.
Ford told Fox News host Jesse Watters Tuesday night that he disagreed with Trump's proposal to make Canada a part of the U.S.
"President-elect Trump is a real-estate tycoon … but that property is not for sale," Ford said of Canada.
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