A new advisory committee focused on Canada-U.S. relations is meeting today for the first time.
The Prime Minister appointed the 18-member panel that includes former political leaders sitting alongside representatives from business, industry and labour.
Justin Trudeau addressed the group at its inaugural meeting.
He intends to reach out to them for support with the government’s efforts to avoid new U.S. tariffs.
“With the help of all of you, I hope we can avoid that outcome. But if the worst-case scenario comes to pass, we will need all your knowledge, insights, expertise and quite frankly, connections with American business leaders and political leaders to make sure that they know that the decision to impose tariffs on Canada will hurt Americans first and foremost,” says Trudeau.
The meeting of the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations comes on the heels of Trudeau’s meeting with the Council of the Federation where the tariffs dominated talks.
The Premiers agreed to remain united and avoid any retaliatory action for now.
“We will be there as Canadians. We will be strong, reasonable, diplomatic. But if we have to fight, we’ll be ready,” says the Prime Minister.
“There are going to be true Canadians in this strong, polite, looking for the right ways to do things that we can get win-wins out of it. But if push comes to shove, we will be strong and unequivocal in our defence of Canada and Canadians.”
The council members include:
Jean Charest – former Premier of Quebec and federal Progressive Conservative leader
Rachel Notley – former Premier of Alberta
Stephen McNeil – former Premier of Nova Scotia
David MacNaughton – former Canadian Ambassador to the United States
Steve Verheul – former Chief Trade Negotiator for Canada
Arlene Dickinson – businesswoman, investor, author, and television personality on the reality show Dragons’ Den
Linda Hasenfratz – President and Chief Executive Officer of Linamar
Lana Payne – Unifor National President
Jody Thomas – National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister
Flavio Volpe – President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
Tabatha Bull – President and Chief Executive Office of the Canadian Council of Indigenous Business
Shahrzad Rafati – Chair and Chief Executive Officer of RHEI
Hassan Yussuff – Senator and former president of the Canadian Labour Congress
Wes Hall – businessman, entrepreneur and investor on reality program Dragons’ Den
Martin Caron – President of L’union des Producteurs Agricoles
Brian Topp – formerly Chief of Staff to former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley
Tim Gitzel – President and Chief Executive Officer of Cameco
Ambassador Kirsten Hillman – Canadian Ambassador to the United States
