Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are now in effect, along with Saskatchewan’s new levy on U.S. alcohol. In today’s episode of Trade Dispute: Impact on the Prairies we look at what the escalating trade dispute means for Prairie producers, consumers, politicians and public institutions.
Podcasts available now on GX94, Yorkton, or 620 CKRM, Regina, hosted by Steven Wilson.
Steven Wilson — Welcome to Trade Dispute Impact on the Prairies. I'm Steven Wilson.
At one minute after midnight Eastern time this morning, Canada's dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs officially took effect.
The federal government is now applying surtaxes of 15, 25 and 50 per cent on more than $27 billion in American imports, answering Washington's massive tariff escalation late last month.
Additionally, Saskatchewan's retaliatory tax on American alcohol takes effect today. Premier Scott Moe announced last month there will be a 50 per cent fee on all American alcohol purchased through the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority's online ordering system.
Today's milestone is the latest in a trade dispute that has simmered since January 2025. When U.S. President Donald Trump took office, he demanded immediate action from Canada on border enforcement and fentanyl smuggling, threatening blanket 25 per cent tariffs.
Canada responded with concessions, committing $1.3 billion to border security, appointing a fentanyl czar, designating Mexican cartels as terrorist entities and later repealing a planned digital services tax to keep talks alive.
Despite those moves, trade penalties steadily expanded into energy, steel, aluminum and automobiles. The situation fractured further in July, when the United States refused a long-term extension of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, forcing yearly reviews.
Talks finally collapsed in late August, when Washington imposed blanket 50 per cent tariffs and Ottawa recalled its negotiators.
The cross-border hostility widened again yesterday, with President Trump threatening to ban the sale of Bombardier planes in the United States unless they're manufactured on American soil, even though Bombardier already operates a major manufacturing footprint south of the border.
Across the Prairies, specialized agricultural sectors are among the hardest hit. Sasha Howland, a third-generation beekeeper at Howland's Honey south of Good Spirit Lake, says unity is essential as producers navigate the economic turmoil.
Sasha Howland — I think, you know, like, at the end of it, if we don't, like, if we infight, and we don't, you know, you know, reach this solidarity that, like, I think the biggest destruction to this is to infight over it too, right? And then we just conglomerate, you know, like, we have to try to, like, meet it with some solidarity. And so that's a far more important message, you know, than anything out of this, right? Sure.
Steven Wilson — On the political front, federal opposition parties are pushing their own recovery plans. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spent Labour Day in Regina, arguing Ottawa must focus on domestic economic relief rather than reacting to White House rhetoric.
SaskToday political reporter John Cairns covered the news conference.
John Cairns — Pierre Poilievre outlined his economic action plan at a news conference on Labour Day in Regina. He called for the scrapping of all carbon taxes, including the industrial carbon tax on steel, aluminum and fertilizer. He also wanted to see capital gains tax removed on reinvestment in Canada.
And he wanted the sales tax gone on Canadian-made automobiles to save Canadian jobs. Poilievre also called for the red tape to be removed from all major projects.
Pierre Poilievre — We need a plan, an economic action plan to save Canadians money and jobs. We cannot control President Trump's tweets, tariffs, or trolling. We can only control what we do here at home.
John Cairns — Poilievre called this a positive plan to be masters in their own house and to build up the strength to withstand a trade conflict with the Americans. For GX94 News, I'm John Cairns.
Steven Wilson — The fallout is also being monitored inside Canada's public institutions. Cross-border supply-chain bottlenecks and tariffs are raising questions about government procurement, including operations for Canada's national police force.
Jon Tupper reports from Fort McMurray on how the trade dispute is affecting the RCMP.
Jon Tupper — It's business as usual for Canada's national police force. This is despite U.S. tariffs and Canada's counter-tariffs affecting a sweeping range of imports and exports.
GX94 spoke with RCMP headquarters in Ottawa about whether the trade dispute could affect the Mounties' supply chain.
The Mounties say tariffs may affect the cost or availability of some goods and services, but they continue to get equipment and services as needed for enforcement and day-to-day operations.
The RCMP operates under the federal government's procurement framework and is working with federal purchasing officials to expedite procurement where needed. The force says its top priority remains the safety of its members and the public.
In Fort McMurray for GX94 News, I'm Jon Tupper.
Steven Wilson — With Canadian counter-tariffs now active, businesses and consumers on both sides of the border are stepping into uncharted territory.
From Saskatchewan producers facing pressure in export markets to governments weighing their next moves, the consequences of the dispute are becoming increasingly visible across the Prairies.
We will continue to follow the financial fallout and bring you local perspectives from across the region.
I'm Steven Wilson, and thank you for listening to Trade Dispute Impact on the Prairies.
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