N.S. premier warns U.S. tariffs could affect thousands of jobs in the province

Premier Tim Houston said thousands of Nova Scotia jobs could be affected by the tariff U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose.

Trump has repeatedly said his incoming administration would introduce a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming into the United States from Canada.

Houston said he is worried about how Nova Scotian businesses that export to the U.S. would fare with a tariff that high.

"A tariff at that level could impact thousands of Nova Scotia jobs," Houston said to reporters following a cabinet meeting Thursday. "So it's a serious issue. It's something that we're concerned about."

"I'll certainly do everything I can to stand up for Nova Scotian interests in Ottawa and abroad and wherever is necessary."

Seafood, tires among top N.S. exports

Lumber, tires, lobster and seafood, Christmas trees and paper products are among Nova Scotia's top exports to the U.S.

Houston confirmed he will be part of a delegation of premiers to visit Washington D.C. on Feb. 12 to lobby U.S. lawmakers in an effort to convince them tariffs will hurt Americans as well as Canadians.

"Tariff is one word, but tax is the real word," said Houston. "It's the Trump tax. And the Trump tax will make products more expensive for American consumers."

"The combined effort is to make sure that Americans understand that."

The premiers also planned a second trip to Washington on Feb. 20 for the annual meeting of National Governors Association, but Houston couldn't commit to be part of that delegation.

The Nova Scotia legislature will resume sitting starting Feb. 14 and will likely be in the midst of budget debate by Feb. 20.

Finance Minister John Lohr told reporters Thursday that the uncertainty surrounding the tariff made it harder for officials in his department to draft the province's budget.

"There are many uncertainties," said Lohr. "It is a challenge for our department obviously. There are many unknowns."

Lohr echoed the premier's claim that the Progressive Conservative government is in close contact with businesses that rely on U.S. customers to gauge the potential impact of tariffs.

Unclear if tariff could impede election promises

Houston said the federal government's plan — shared with the premiers yesterday in Ottawa — includes programs "to support those areas that are most impacted" by a new tariff.

Houston said overall he was satisfied with Ottawa's planned response.

Asked if the tariff could lead to a decrease in government revenues large enough to jeopardize election promises, Lohr responded: "I think you're asking me to speculate on something that we just don't have enough information to speculate on." 

In November's provincial election, the PCs promised to:

• Eliminate tolls for vehicles crossing the Halifax Harbour bridges
• To end parking fees at hospitals
• Lower the HST by one percentage point

The leader of the Official Opposition, Claudia Chender, said Nova Scotians deserve to know more about what the Houston government plans to do, despite the uncertainly surrounding tariffs.

"We need to hear more," the provincial NDP leader told reporters.

"We need to know how Nova Scotians, who will be impacted, whose livelihoods will be impacted, they need to know [about] what to expect."

"They need to know how our province is going to react and they need to know what kind of planning is underway."

Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette said he was surprised it had taken so long to hear from Houston about the tariff threat.

"Really this is the first day we've heard from the premier at any length on the issue," said the interim Liberal leader. "I'm seeing premiers across the Atlantic region and across the country on tour, meeting with impacted businesses, meeting with many stakeholders that would be impacted by the tariffs."

"I hope that the premier takes more of a champion role."