NAFTA, other trade issues on agenda at Council of Federation meet in Edmonton

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EDMONTON (NEWS 1130)  – Canada’s premiers will meet today in Edmonton to discuss trade issues, particularly business with the United States and the looming renegotiation of the NAFTA deal.

It’s the first of two days of meetings of the Council of the Federation.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump’s administration released its list of objectives in the NAFTA renegotiation, which is expected to begin next month.

The US wants better access for agriculture exports, freer trade in online purchases, and an overhaul of the dispute-settlement system.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says Canada’s premiers need to work even closer together as they continue to make the case directly to individual states in the US that rely on cross-border business.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says while he doesn’t think it will be needed, Canada should start compiling a list of ways to retaliate if the NAFTA talks take an ugly turn.

“I think we should begin in a tactical and strategic way begin to populate a list of potential … things we might retaliate with should things get off the rail,” Wall told reporters.

“I think it would be wise to have that ready sooner rather than later.”

The premiers are going to receive an update from David MacNaughton, Canada’s ambassador to the United States.

New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant says talks he has had recently have reassured him the facts remain on Canada’s side.

He notes that nine million jobs in the US are directly tied to trade with Canada, and more than 30 US states have Canada as their largest export customer.

“Once we make that point yet again, it’s going to make our positioning on the (NAFTA) negotiations that much stronger,” says Gallant.

British Columbia’s incoming premier, John Horgan, is not able to attend the meeting because he’s being sworn in at the Legislature in Victoria today. He is not eligible to attend until he is officially Premier.

On the second day of the meeting, the premiers will discuss justice issues, including how to best implement the federal government’s plan to legalize recreational use of marijuana as of July 1, 2018.

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