Former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
Harper took to social media Wednesday to repost the text of a Conservative Party of Canada video that was released 13 years ago.
He didn’t actually mention Trump by name or reference his recent comments suggesting that the U.S. could use “economic force” to convince Canada to become an American state, but the intent was pretty clear.
“True when I said it (13 years ago),” Harper posted. “True today.”
“Canada is, and always has been, our country,” he said, in voiceover on the ad, which contains a montage of Canadiana imagery.
“And we want Canada to be a True North that is as strong and as free as it can be in every way that matters: the best country in the world. That’s why we’re here, that’s why we strive, that’s why we serve.
“Canada must reflect the true character of the Canadian people: honourable in our dealings, faithful to our commitments, loyal to our friends. By turns, a courageous warrior and a compassionate neighbour. It is our purpose that Canada must be great, it must be great for all Canadians, it must be a country of hope and an example to the world.
“And only when it is these things,” he said, “when Canada is all that it can be, only then can we say that our work is done.”
Canadians push back
Harper wasn’t the only prominent conservative Canadian commenting on the president-elect’s latest musings.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford described it as “ridiculous” and a “waste of time,” suggesting the two countries team up to push back against the economic threat posed by China.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued a statement Wednesday on the virtual Council of the Federation meeting she had with other Canadian premiers.
“As premiers we are united and steadfast in our opposition to tariffs, and recognize they would impact each province differently,” Smith said. “Each premier has been and will continue meeting with our U.S. counterparts including governors, members of congress and senators to promote Canada’s interests.
“The U.S. is our largest trading partner and greatest ally. Albertans and Americans both rely on this mutually beneficial trade relationship – and it must be maintained and supported.
“Alberta’s government believes that the pathway to strengthening this relationship is to double our oil production and increase exports of crude oil to the U.S., enabling them to export even more light oil to the rest of the world.
“We took a first step in pursuit of this goal earlier this week,” she added, “when we partnered with Enbridge to expand their pipeline capacity.
I also shared with my colleagues that I will be attending the presidential inauguration and associated events and meetings in Washington, D.C. and that I intend to advocate for Canada’s interests and against these tariffs, in favour of a strong economic partnership between Canada and the U.S.
“It has never been more important to demonstrate stability and next week we will be meeting with the prime minister to express urgency to him in co-ordinating a strong and united response to these threats.”
With files from CTV’s Teri Fikowski
