Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says President-elect Donald Trump has crossed a line in mocking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Canada becoming the 51st state.
Meanwhile, Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai was lobbying Trump’s son over bear meat spring rolls in Colorado, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was securing insider tickets to Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Trump told Trudeau during a visit to Mar-a-Lago last month that if the prime minister thinks 25% tariffs imposed by the US would “kill” Canada’s economy, it should become the 51st state — and Trudeau could be governor.
Trump has since repeated the “joke” multiple times, including in his holiday greeting on Christmas Day, where he told Canadians if the US annexed its northern neighour, they would enjoy 60% less taxes.
However, the incoming president seemed tired of the prospect of Trudeau in leadership, and suggested NHL legend Wayne Gretzky be the “governor” of Canada instead.
“This is carrying the ‘joke’ too far,” wrote Carney.
Trudeau had asked Carney to replace Chrystia Freeland as finance minister, but he declined. Trudeau then named his childhood friend Dominic LeBlanc as top economist instead.
“The casual disrespect, the poor tax math, and ignoring that workers on both sides of our border will be better off if we work together,” wrote Carney.
“Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership.”
As Ottawa goes neck and neck with Trump and Trudeau faces increasing pressure — even from within his own party — to resign, premiers are going out of their way to connect with incoming American leaders.
Pillai has hosted Donald Trump Jr. (Don Jr.) several times for hunting trips in the Yukon since meeting at an event in Nevada in the fall. They most recently shared a meal of black bear spring rolls, turkey, deer and oysters at a hunting lodge in North Carolina, according to the National Post.
Pillai said he’s “had some very, very brief dialog with Dominic LeBlanc, but other than that there does not seem to be a full-scale strategy coming from Ottawa (on the 25% tariff threat), with a series of different ministers taking on certain responsibilities.”
As for the meeting with the incoming president’s son, Pillai said the two get along great and have much in common — both politically and personally.
“I made sure that I brought him, Don, some clothing, because I wanted to remind him that the Trump family businesses were Yukon-built,” Pillai told the publication.
He said their interactions were “incredibly positive” and they “shared some data points” surrounding trade.
“We’re sending raw materials to them, and they’re creating jobs and value from that,” said Pillai.
He and Don Jr. further discussed Arctic security and supply chain integrity within North America.
