‘Trump Can’t Divide Us’: Canadian Premier Susan Holt’s Blunt Warning to Washington

[0:00] We might have different ways of coming at it, but all of us are committed to Team Canada. [0:04] Now is the time to be unified and to show to the U.S. that we are one strong nation from coast to [0:11] coast to coast, that the president can't divide, and that we will continue to work together in the [0:17] best interest of Canadians in ways that are great for Islanders and certainly great for New Brunswickers. [0:22] Now, the beauty of this table is that it's extremely collegial, and so we like these [0:26] opportunities to come together where we can each share what are our realities, how are we tackling [0:31] them, who has ideas on what to do and how, and then we bring those all together, and we debate, [0:37] and we brainstorm, and we come up with the thing that we can all agree to and that we're all prepared [0:42] to advance. So it really is a collegial and collaborative environment where we each express [0:47] different views, but we come together and agree on something in the end, and so we might have [0:51] different ways of coming at it, but all of us are committed to Team Canada. Now is the time, [0:56] to be unified, and to show to the U.S. that we are one strong nation from coast to coast [1:03] to coast, that the president can't divide, and that we will continue to work together in [1:08] the best interest of Canadians in ways that are great for Islanders and certainly great for [1:12] New Brunswickers. [1:13] I know that there is always a desire for the media to see if it's divided, and absolutely [1:21] everyone express their unique perspective, their unique opinion. We have debates, we have [1:28] exchanges, we share information, but it's really great, the tone, and the goal is always [1:34] to arrive somewhere where we are all agree. And when we arrive at this point where we are all [1:40] together, it's also the way we can move forward as a team of Canada. It's the objective of [1:45] demonstrating to the United States that we are one Canadian country from each side of the [1:52] river, north, west, west, west, and east, and that's what we are going to do to protect [1:58] Canadians and our Canadian economy, as a team of Prime Minister. We have different approaches, [2:06] but the objective is common, and we will arrive together. [2:10] I would agree with that, and I'll repeat it in English, that we may come to that room [2:16] with different priorities, maybe even competing interests, and we have a robust discussion [2:21] about it, but we've all agreed that we'll advance as a united team, Team Canada, and we're [2:27] all looking for the best interests of this country to be resolved through these negotiations. [2:31] So, thank you. [2:34] For who? [2:36] He feels all alone. I know you two are close to the longest-serving premier at the table, [2:40] but he feels like he's all alone. [2:43] Hey, listen, we're in a very challenging time in Canada and in North America that's impacting [2:48] both Canadian and American families and businesses and communities, and I think it's incumbent on [2:54] us as sub-national leaders to support our government in ensuring that we can come to a conclusion, [2:59] a reviewed, renewed KUSMA trade agreement with our largest trading partner, and both Doug [3:05] and I, I think, agree wholeheartedly on that. Maybe some different views on how we get there, [3:10] but we agree also on the view of supporting our federal negotiating team at that negotiating [3:15] table. That's where we will get to that reviewed, renewed trade agreement, and that's [3:19] what we're going to talk about today. Thank you. [3:21] Thank you. [3:23] Hi there. I'm doing great, actually. I wanted to reinforce how special it is to have PEI, [3:29] New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia all agree to cooperate on energy planning and operations, [3:35] and so the MOU that we signed today really highlights who we are as the Maritimes. We're [3:41] great neighbours. We work together. We share our resources and our smarts and our connections, [3:47] whether it's the Shignecto Isthmus or the Confederation Bridge, and New Brunswick at the [3:52] centre of that as the hub of maritime energy. We're thrilled to be able to share our ability [3:58] to generate nuclear power, our hydroelectric power with our neighbours, and to do that through [4:03] strengthened interties funded by the federal government, and so really excited about the [4:07] announcement from the federal government today in support of the subsea cables to PEI. [4:12] All of these give us the tools we need as a region to generate renewable energy, clean energy, [4:18] nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, biomass, wind, solar, you name it. It lets us share all [4:25] of our assets, connect all of the resources, and ultimately deliver more affordable, more [4:31] reliable, and more sustainable power for New Brunswickers and for Canadians. We know that [4:35] Canada needs more power. New Brunswick is prepared to deliver that, and today we can now do it in [4:40] partnership with the Maritime Provinces. [4:42] Alors, je suis vraiment, vraiment heureux de l'annonce today. C'est quelque chose de spécial, [4:46] honnêtement, de voir les trois provinces maritimes qui collaborent ensemble, une entente de coopération [4:53] avec nos systèmes d'énergie, notre planification, nos opérations, notre transmission. C'est vraiment [4:59] l'esprit maritime d'être de bons voisins où on partage nos ressources, on se supporte dans des temps [5:06] qui sont difficiles. On utilise tous nos atouts pour avoir l'opportunité de livrer de l'énergie [5:13] le plus abordable possible, le plus fiable possible, et le plus durable possible pour les [5:18] néo-brunswickois et néo-brunswickois et pour le Canada. So, it's a great day today to have the support [5:23] for the subsea cables and to have this maritime MOU between New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI. [5:28] Really happy about it. [5:30] Ontario was here yesterday. How are you feeling? Is it still Ontario all alone? [5:37] I feel positive. What I did say, too, we need a Team Canada approach led by the Prime Minister. [5:42] And that's what we look forward to hearing the Prime Minister today and go out there as Team Canada. [5:48] Do you think it comes to divide provinces? Ontario, BC, Quebec are particularly hit by these tariffs. [5:53] Do you think that's on purpose? [5:55] Well, you know, he has his own strategy. We need our strategy, a strong strategy led by the Prime Minister. [6:00] And we look forward to hearing what the Prime Minister is saying today. Thank you. [6:04] What's your idea for a successful meeting? How will you know if it is a successful meeting or not? [6:10] How are you today with the Prime Minister? [6:11] Well, making sure we stay united as Team Canada. Making sure that we don't roll over. [6:18] And as I've said, go on our back foot. We need a strong, strong plan. I don't expect it today. [6:26] But hopefully in the next two weeks, we'll have a strong plan and we move forward to United. [6:31] Be on offense. [6:33] Be on offense. [6:34] Put everything on the table. That's my opinion. I'm speaking for Ontario and Ontario only. [6:39] Everything is on the table right now. [6:42] Depends where we go with the U.S. [6:50] But Ontario has the most to lose right now. And I will do everything to protect the people of Ontario. [6:57] You said two weeks. [6:58] No, no, I think you have to be fair to the Prime Minister and his team to put a strong plan together. [7:05] And hopefully it will be before two weeks. But what are we down to? 28 days now after yesterday? [7:11] 27? Okay, so we've got to move. [7:14] Well, that's going to be up to the Prime Minister to tell us the plan. [7:20] And then we move forward as United Canada. But I have to head in there. [7:25] Thanks so much, everyone. Appreciate it. [7:29] Yeah, always. We've had good talks so far at the Council of the Federation. [7:32] And, you know, a bit of a game plan to talk to the Prime Minister on things like health and the economy. [7:37] So I'm really looking forward to it. It's been a very positive atmosphere. [7:40] And despite what's going on in the world, it feels good to be on a team that's so united and strong. [7:45] You're the host. What's the social? [7:46] It's actually Yellowknife. The capital of the Northwest Territories is Yellowknife. [7:52] And that's why it's going to be great to get people up there. [7:54] Not a lot of people get up to the territory. [7:56] So we're still working on the whole social piece, the party planning. [7:59] I'm not overly involved in that kind of stuff. But lots to do in Yellowknife. It's a great place. [8:03] So thank you all very much. [8:05] Well, we're here to support the Federation, support the Prime Minister, and support Canada in whatever we have to do. [8:15] Well, we're willing to do whatever we need to do to address the situation we're in. [8:23] This goes right to the heart of our national sovereignty, our economy, the people of Canada and the Northwest Territories. [8:30] So we're in the fight with everyone else, and we're going to do our part. [8:33] What words do you have to play with? [8:42] Well, I don't think we necessarily need to look at taking a hit. We have a lot to offer. [8:46] We have critical minerals. We have energy. [8:48] Those are commodities that we can develop in the Northwest Territories that the Americans need. [8:52] And so I see opportunities to provide wins for them. [8:57] It's also wins for us. So thank you all very much. [9:00] Thank you. [9:01] Thank you.