TORONTO — Rachel Doran, vice-president of policy and strategy at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the implementation of a 25% duty on almost all products entering the U.S. from Canada.
“As President Trump enforces tariffs, decisions made now will be critical to how Canada’s economy weathers the immediate storm—and any future ones brewing. Short-term support for Canadians and Canadian businesses is key, and federal and provincial governments are already stepping up with retaliatory measures and financial tools like EI benefits and business support. But a longer-term strategy to increase the resilience and security of our economy is also deeply necessary.
“There is no better time to enable Canadians to buy Canadian. We must enhance interprovincial trade and infrastructure by marketing made-in-Canada goods within Canada, ensuring our internal market is seamless and open, and prioritizing industries with growth opportunities in the energy transition.
“A key policy idea that needs to move to the top of the agenda immediately is ‘Buy Clean.’ Essentially, procurement policies that prioritize goods and materials based on their carbon intensity, rather than place of origin, which would indirectly prefer clean Canadian-made cement, steel and vehicles while also being trade law compliant. With Canada’s relatively green grid and ongoing efforts to reduce emissions, many of Canada’s heavy industries already produce lower-emissions products than international competitors.
“Provinces and the federal government must also work together, prioritizing provincial grid interties to enhance energy security and reduce the impacts of volatile fossil fuel prices (gasoline and gas for home heating are already predicted to rise) while harmonizing transportation standards to move clean goods more efficiently across Canada for domestic use and export.
“It’s also time to coordinate permitting regimes to unlock clean-energy-related projects, from critical minerals and battery materials to renewable power and transmission lines. And we need the talent to make it happen. That means recognizing green collar professional licenses and trade certifications across provinces, such as engineers, heat pump installers and EV mechanics.
“As leaders across the U.S and Canada have repeatedly pointed out, a trade war between our two countries will have no winners. But Canada does have tools at its disposal to ensure we can weather this storm and steer our country to calmer waters. The energy transition provides Canada with many opportunities, if we take them.
“After all, we can’t make Canada’s economy Trump-proof by making it Trump-like.”
