Smith will be heading to Washington to attend an inauguration event for President-elect Donald Trump this January, and now has said the province will be taking on the role of patrolling the border with Montana. Smith’s proactive approach to building a relationship with the United States could very well shield Alberta from much of a fallout from a budding trade war and potential tariffs. But it could also fracture Canada’s already delicate state of national unity.
The Trudeau government has said it is taking Trump’s threat of imposing 25 percent tariffs seriously. A rare and rushed first ministers’ meeting was held to discuss a national response to the threatened tariffs, but the premiers didn’t emerge from the event with a unified plan. Canadian leaders understand the urgency of dealing with the challenge, as a 25 percent tariff on Canadian exports would drive the nation into a deep recession. Every province is dependent upon trade with Canada’s southern neighbour.
The border between Alberta and Montana spans 300 kilometres across some desolate areas. It is only lightly patrolled on either side, and the only barrier to crossing is a barbed wire fence in places. If a person was inclined to illegally enter the USA for migration or smuggling, it isn’t a tough border to cross. Whether or not many illegal crossings are happening, however, remains to be seen. There is a perception that Canada is a jumping-off point for illegal immigrants and drug smuggling and Trump is using that as his basis for imposing tariffs. Canada must demonstrate border security measures to avoid a trade war.
Over 98 percent of Canadian crude oil exports go to the United States along with 45 percent of produced natural gas. Most of these products come from Alberta, and tariffs would devastate the province.
The significance of a province taking over the duty of international border patrols can’t be overstated. Maintaining international border security is a federal role and assuming it provincially is a bold step toward provincial autonomy. Even Quebec at the height of its separatist movement never made such a move.
Whether it is fair or not, the federal government is painted into a corner with the incoming president. There’s no love lost between Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump, but Trudeau must set his personal feelings aside and figure out how to pacify the incoming president.
Canada must act swiftly to ensure border issues are being addressed and convince President-elect Trump it’s in the American interest to avoid tariffs on Canadian goods. If the Trudeau government fails in this while Premier Smith succeeds in getting an exemption for oil and gas, Canada’s economy will take a terrible hit along with national unity.
