Saskatchewan, Alberta respond with deference to Trump threat

[Oscar]

Saskatchewan, Alberta respond with deference to Trump threats

[ https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/colu ... mp-threats ]

QUOTE: "Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith try to appease a U.S. president who seeks to seriously damage their economies."

Guest column: CCPA - Simon Enoch - January 24, 2025

EXCERPT: "How Canada’s premiers respond to Trump also may have important electoral consequences in their respective provinces.

How will Alberta and Saskatchewan voters view their own political leaders that made so much of “standing up” to Ottawa, only to fall over themselves to appease an American president whose actions may have far worse consequences for their own respective economies?

Which political sentiment will win out in this conflict — western alienation or Canadian nationalism? Should voters begin to suspect that there is a deep contradiction between how their leaders confront Ottawa versus that of a foreign government? Will there be a political price to pay?

Conversely, given the bluster of Moe and Smith on the need to exercise provincial sovereignty and independence, as well as their deep distrust in Canadian federalism, is Canadian nationalism a spent force in these provinces?

While both Saskatchewan and Alberta poll the highest in the country in their preference for President Trump, as well as on the question of U.S. statehood, these are still minority views in both provinces — for now.

Mr. Trump’s presidency may end up raising more questions about the state of our confederation than the state of our relationship with Americans."

More . . . .