Premier Scott Moe reacts to Freeland resignation as premiers meet to discuss U.S. tariff threat

Premier Scott Moe, and the rest of Canada’s provincial leaders, presented a united front Monday as the fallout from Chrystia Freeland’s cabinet resignation unfolded in Ottawa.

Freeland resigned as finance minister and deputy prime minister Monday morning, just hours before she was set to table the Liberal government’s long-anticipated fall economic statement.

In a letter posted to social media, Freeland said she decided to resign after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told her he no longer wanted her in the top economic post.

Several of the leaders responded to the news of Freeland’s resignation – thanking her for her service.

“We have [had] a good relationship with Chrystia over the years. I just want to wish her all the best. But as a country, we have to project strength, unity,” Ontario Premier and Council Chair Doug Ford told reporters.

"You said the word, I didn't, but I'll repeat it. It's chaos right now up in Ottawa."

Premier Moe shared Ford’s appreciation for the now former minister.

“I talked with Chrystia Freeland late last week as well and have appreciated always working alongside her,” he said.

“She was our engagement point at this table for a number of years.”

Canada’s ten premiers were in Toronto for a Council of the Federation meeting.

The meeting is a scheduled two-day event –with the leaders discussing the tariff threat posed by the President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

In contrast with the uncertainty on Parliament Hill, each premier repeatedly highlighted the need for collaboration and consensus.

“This is an important and effective table. The Council of Federation table is the one other place in Canada where we come together collectively to represent all Canadians,” Moe said.

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Trump has threatened to institute a 25 per cent tariff on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico on his first day in the White House on Jan. 21.

The announcement has led to widespread concern across multiple levels of government.

During one of his remarks to reporters, Moe reiterated that the proposed tariffs would do more harm than good on both sides of the border.

“Everything we do in North America, providing energy, food and manufacturing – we do that alongside the Americans. We don't do it for them. We don't do it to them. We do it alongside them. We build cars together. We provide energy security – Alberta and Saskatchewan – we provide raw commodity products into the U.S.,” he explained.

“We really do work well with that integrated economy across the 49th parallel. So, the goal for the engagement that Saskatchewan is putting forward is for us not to have tariffs implemented on January the 20th, and if they are, for the very shortest period of time possible. We'll do that through engaging and really telling the story of the collective advantage we have by not going down that road.”

Moe has previously called for a federal election to be held – citing issues with the federal carbon tax.

When asked whether he would like to see a federal election be held soon – Moe did not answer – rather highlighting the need for unity in the face of the tariff threat.

“I'll speak as a sub national leader from Saskatchewan. However, today I'm here as part of the Council of Federation and part of a group of premiers that are working together towards what is in the best interest of all Canadians.”

Federal Conservative Pierre Poilievre repeated his call for an election during Question Period Monday.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Yves-François Blanchet of the Bloc Quebecois called on Trudeau to resign.