REGINA, Sask. — We examine how shifting border tariffs are squeezing farmers in the Dakotas during harvest season, review a new legal roadblock for domestic infrastructure projects, and hear from Jon Tupper on Alberta's push to repeal the federal oil tanker ban to boost overseas exports.
Podcasts are available now on GX94, Yorkton, or on 620 CKRM, Regina, hosted by Steven Wilson. Or read the transcript below:
Steven Wilson — Welcome to Trade Dispute: Impact on the Prairies. I'm Steven Wilson.
Following weekend claims from United States President Donald Trump that a trade deal could be imminent, Prime Minister Mark Carney is actively cooling market expectations.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Carney confirmed there has been a slight intensification in talks with the Trump administration regarding a revised cross-border trade pact. However, the prime minister intentionally played down the prospect of an immediate resolution. Projecting confidence in Canada's current leverage, Carney stated the recent momentum is happening primarily because the U.S. is coming closer to Canada's position, signaling that Washington's looming midterm elections are forcing American concessions. Though at a rally late last night in Mississippi, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that he expects the dispute to end soon, saying Canada is desperate for a deal.
Donald Trump — Canada's treated us badly, but they want to make a deal badly, so we'll get that taken care. But, you know, they've been ripping us off for a long time. We don't like to be ripped off.
They've been really charging us, by the way, tariffs, 400 per cent to our farmers, selling their, look, they're all nodding yes.
Steven Wilson — While Ottawa plays the waiting game, the lack of a finalized agreement is hammering American border states. The Red River Farm Network, a major agricultural broadcaster covering North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, warned yesterday that back-and-forth tariff tweaks on machinery and packaging are severely destabilizing agricultural trade. The network reports the shifting rules are driving up farm equipment costs right in the middle of the Northern Plains harvest season.
For cross-border businesses trying to navigate the chaos, legal experts at the corporate law firm Blake, Cassels, and Graydon LLP have published a comprehensive legal briefing. The document maps out the precise legal mechanics, effective dates, and affected product codes of both the American import bans and Canada's retaliatory tariffs, as they stand at the end of October. Here at home, the push to pass track domestic infrastructure to bypass the U.S. border has hit a significant legal snag. The Alberta Court of Appeal has once again ruled the Federal Impact Assessment Act unconstitutional. The ruling adds a massive layer of regulatory complexity, just as business leaders and the federal government attempt to rapidly build domestic energy and export corridors to survive the American trade freeze. Despite the red tape, Alberta is actively looking for alternative ways to reach international waters.
Jon Tupper reports from Fort McMurray on a renewed push to repeal the federal oil tanker ban to boost crude by-rail exports.
Jon Tupper — Alberta is linking its push to repeal the federal oil tanker ban with growing interest in crude by-rail exports. A private member's bill by Calgary MP David McKenzie to remove the ban is scheduled for debate in Ottawa on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Strathcona Resources has proposed moving up to a quarter million barrels per day by rail from Hardisty to Prince Rupert using existing CN lines.
Alberta says repealing the tanker ban could allow oil arriving by rail to be loaded onto ships for overseas markets. Premier Danielle Smith says more access to Canada's west coast would reduce reliance on the United States. In Fort McMurray for Harvard News, I'm Jon Tupper.
Steven Wilson — We will continue tracking these infrastructure debates and the ongoing trade negotiations in Washington as the American midterms approach. Thank you for listening to Trade Dispute: Impact on the Prairies.
Listen weekdays at 9 a.m. on 620 CKRM and GX94 for new installments of Trade Dispute: Impact on the Prairies.
