From the chorus line of former cabinet ministers, television personalities and celebrity psychologists who have stepped into the federal leadership vacuum to speak on behalf of Canada, one voice makes the most sense. With president-elect Donald Trump pledging to impose 25% tariffs on all things Canadian next week, former prime minister Stephen Harper set the record straight on Trump’s claims.
In a podcast interview with Florida-based Gabe Goisman, Harper pragmatically set out the facts. Far from the U.S. subsidizing Canada, we actually sell oil and gas to the U.S. at a discount.
“It’s true that Canada presently has a modest trade surplus with the U.S. The reason we do is because you buy so much of our oil and gas,” Harper pointed out. “In fact, you buy it at a discount to world markets. It’s actually Canada that subsidizes the U.S. in this regard.”
Harper suggested that, given Trump’s concerns around that deal, Canada should look for other foreign markets for its oil and gas. “We certainly have always wanted to do some of that — maybe now’s the time to do it.”
He also pushed back on some of Trump’s statements about defence and our shared border: “When we talk about subsidizing Canadian defence, I don’t know what he’s talking about. We have a shared defence of North America and the U.S. does that because it’s in the vital interest of the U.S.”
Harper also said there’s very little illegal migration from Canada to the U.S., but this country has concerns about illegal drugs and guns coming here from our neighbour to the south.
Harper dismissed Trump’s suggestion that he called the shots when it came to the departure of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Look, whether or not we have Mr. Trudeau as our prime minister is our choice as Canadians. You know, we don’t tell you whom to elect as president of the U.S.,” he said.
As prime minister, Harper guided this country through the recession of 2008-09. We came through in better shape than any other country in the G-7, according to an assessment by The Economist.
In the room full of people claiming to speak on behalf of this country, Harper’s the real deal. When he speaks, we should listen.