In response to the latest musings and threats from Donald Trump, most federal leaders and a number of southern premiers have publicly taken tough positions in defence of Canadian sovereignty and pride. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been the most vocal 鈥� and most firm 鈥� of the premiers in rejecting Trump鈥檚 various threats and insults. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey has also responded strongly, reminding us all of the price paid for Canadian sovereignty and warning that it will not be given up easily.
Where are the 黑料吃瓜网 premiers in all of this? A scan of the various 黑料吃瓜网 government websites, and a search for the names of Pillai, Simpson and Akeeagok linked to 'Trump' turn up very little. In early December, NWT Premier R.J. Simpson said he would be part of 鈥渁 unified Team Canada鈥�. In mid-December, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok went on record as saying Trump has 鈥渁 good sense of humour鈥�. The day before Christmas, Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai was reported to have dined with one of Donald Trump鈥檚 sons.
All of the premiers have assured us that they take Trump鈥檚 tariff threats 鈥渟eriously鈥� but other than such platitudes and empty comments, there has been no news releases, public comments, or anything else to help northerners understand what their leaders are doing, and how they are reacting to the latest threats to our country. Nothing.
Why the silence?
The territories may be the 'junior partners' in Confederation but that does not mean our leaders should be shy about stating their positions, boldly and clearly, in defence of Canada, both our sovereignty and our economy. Perhaps this is part of a strategy to 'fly beneath the radar' and hope the incoming American president does not notice us (admittedly, he likely would have a hard time finding any of the territories on a map, and almost certainly has no idea of the names of each jurisdiction). If so, enlighten us.
Despite their small populations and economies, the three territories have the potential to punch above their weight in Trump鈥檚 coming trade war. Most significant are the potential mineral and rare earth resources of the North (especially, but not only, in the NWT), most of which are coveted by various American entities including 鈥� perhaps most importantly - the U.S. military. Why are we not making it clear that any possible American access to our resources will disappear upon Trump鈥檚 trade war taking place? There are other countries and customers interested in the same resources; we should be making it clear that any possible American access will be tied to a return to a stable and reliable 鈥� and respectful 鈥� trading relationship between our two countries.
As well, Yukon, especially, benefits by multitudes of American travellers spending money as they pass through on their way to Alaska every year. Steps should be taken to make it clear to those tourists they will no longer be welcome (and will face additional costs and expenses) if they hope to continue to travel through Canada at the same time as the United States is bent upon destroying our economy. Tolls could be imposed upon Americans using the highway to travel between Alaska and the rest of the country.
Yes, we have a treaty with the United States to ensure free access and unimpeded travel, but why should we adhere to that agreement when other agreements between us are shredded by one partner upon the momentary whims and obsessions of its unstable leader?
And every year, American scientists and others travel throughout all three of our 黑料吃瓜网 territories for various research and other projects. The wealthiest Americans 鈥� including Trump鈥檚 own supporters, allies, and close family members 鈥� come to the North to hunt and fish. Why are we not hearing that they will no longer be welcome, as their country moves to devastate our own?
Because of our small populations, the territories rely heavily upon financial support from Ottawa, which in turn is generated by the economic health of the southern parts of our country. Any attacks upon our national economy will quickly have significant (and possibly oversized) impacts upon the abilities of 黑料吃瓜网 governments to function and the well-being of 黑料吃瓜网 peoples. We have an essential stake in the continued prosperity of our country and will suffer, at least as much and perhaps more than the rest of Canada, if Trump imposes his 25 per cent tariffs and takes the other measures against us that he is now mulling.
We, and the rest of Canada, need to know our leaders are actively joining in the fight to oppose the coming attacks upon our national well-being and viability. We are entitled to know what steps our territorial governments will take, in conjunction with the rest of Canada, to actively oppose and fight back against any attempts to cripple our economy and other aspects of our national existence.
We need to hear substantively from our premiers as to the part they, and our territories, will play in combating the coming attacks upon Canada. This is not a time for our leaders to be missing in action.
Charles Davison is a lawyer working and living in Yellowknife.
