PM, premiers talk interprovincial trade to shore up Canadian economy: source

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, third from left, speaks at a press conference concluding a first ministers meeting, in Ottawa, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers discussed interprovincial trade on Wednesday as a way of shoring up the Canadian economy – according to a senior federal government source – as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canada as soon as Feb. 1.

The topic was part of a virtual discussion this morning chaired by the prime minister. The source described it as an expansion of last week’s first ministers meeting on Canada’s response to the American tariff threat.

The group also agreed to have an urgent meeting focused specifically on internal trade next week to “advance internal trade opportunities” amid the current challenges, according to the source.

The source says it’s unclear if the prime minister would attend that meeting, but it’s likely that new Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand would take part.

Premiers and the prime minister also discussed resources that the United States needs from Canada and how provincial representatives can continue to engage with officials on the other side of the border to avoid the application of tariffs.

CTV News has also learned that the federal government’s $1.3 billion border plan was discussed, specifically what all levels of government can do to add complementary resources to bolster the border.

More details to come.