Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham is in Norway, attending the Offshore Northern Seas oil and gas conference, but with his attention being drawn back home, working on a provincial response in the Canada-U.S. trade war.
A Tuesday afternoon statement attributed to Wakeham acknowledged tariffs will increase costs for businesses and consumers, disrupt supply chains and create uncertainty in Newfoundland and Labrador. The province, while facing proportionally less in direct effect, is not immune.
Yet, as Canada institutes its own dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs against the United States, in response to U.S. trade action, Wakeham credited Prime Minister Mark Carney for his leadership. He said the provincial government is standing firmly in line.
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“At a time of uncertainty, Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to stand with Team Canada as we defend our economic interests and advocate for a stable and constructive trading relationship with our closest neighbour and largest trading partner,” the statement reads.
Specific to the province, Wakeham said he has reached out, “to our key industry partners that drive the Newfoundland and Labrador economy” and, together, they will be closely tracking impacts of trade actions.
CBC asked who it was Wakeham has been in contact with. A communications staff member said the contacts have included Mining Industry N.L. and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour but said that wasn’t an exhaustive list.
The Government of Canada has announced counter tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods, in effect as of Sept. 8. At the same time, it has announced $7.5 billion in support for workers and businesses.
In terms of response programs, the premier said they do need to be ambitious and targeted, “and we will be reviewing the measures in detail to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador receives the support it needs to protect jobs and communities.”
Meanwhile, opposition leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador are asking the governing Progressive Conservatives to remount a currently defunct “premier’s roundtable” on tariffs. The roundtable was convened under former premier Andrew Furey and included representatives from unions, business and other “stakeholders.”
“Our response can’t just come from the premier’s office – it must include meaningful consultations with those who know deeply how this trade war is impacting us here at home,” said NDP Leader Jim Dinn in a statement.
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Dinn said Canada is “rightly walking away from a bad deal” with the U.S. but it means now is the time to re-instate the roundtable, while managing the ongoing fallout.
Last time around, the NDP called for non-profit representatives to be given a seat at the table. He’s reiterated that call this week.
“I think of groups like Connections for Seniors or Choices for Youth — these groups and many like them directly help those most in need in our province. While people are already feeling so squeezed financially by the cost of living, it’s important to have these groups involved in the conversation so no one gets left behind,” he said.
The provincial Liberals have called for Wakeham to “come out of the shadows” and bring the roundtable back online.
“Disappointingly, we have not heard from premier Wakeham on this important issue or seen the proactive leadership this situation demands,” Liberal Leader John Hogan said in the statement. “Our province’s industries and workers need to know that their government is listening, will be there to support them, and is taking necessary action to protect them from any negative impacts this ongoing trade dispute may have on Newfoundland and Labrador.”
At the Canadian Federation for Independent Business, director for legislative affairs Jonathan Galgay said that despite the calls for more contact from the premier, Wakeham had already reached out to organizations, including CFIB, on Monday.
“We didn’t have a seat at that previous roundtable,” Galgay said, adding he appreciated the contact from the premier by email. He supplied additional information on request to government on his members’ interests on Tuesday.
For the CFIB, Galgay said an early issue is federal response programs, and assuring criteria for accessing key programs means they connect with smaller, independent businesses if needed. He said that based on a first look at program criteria for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, there is a concern around minimum sales criteria when it comes to access.
According to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, despite the requirements, 32 organizations did successfully tap into an earlier version of the regional response program, in the wake of an earlier round of tariffs. ACOA said “over $12 million” in total support has gone into Newfoundland and Labrador to date, and details for the new round of the program are still being finalized.
Galgay said there are a lot of moving parts to take in, noting the new tariffs and counter measures were only just announced.
“No matter what group you’re with, you need to take the time to understand the implications,” he said, adding he appreciates the provincial government is “doing their homework” as well.
In a statement, the premier’s office said Wakeham has been emailing partners, asking for any early indications of impacts, and is looking forward to sitting down with stakeholders.
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