Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is urging the province to get aggressive in Canada's intensifying trade battle with the United States, suggesting that energy exports could become a powerful negotiating tool.
Speaking on CBC Radio's Calgary Eyeopener Tuesday morning, Kenney — the former United Conservative Party leader — argued that Alberta should consider placing export taxes on its oil, gas, and other critical resources to send a clear message to U.S. President Donald Trump that escalation comes with consequences.
"I think it needs to be telegraphed that if he does something really reckless in further escalating this, and in ways that are potentially existentially damaging to the Canadian economy, that we do have stronger ways of defending ourselves, such as a prospective export tax on some of our critical exports to the United States on which they rely," Kenney said.
The comments arrive as tensions between Canada and the U.S. spike dramatically. Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on $28 billion in Canadian goods after trade negotiations collapsed Friday. Prime Minister Mark Carney responded Tuesday with dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs of his own.
Alberta Divided on Strategy
Current Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has already rejected the notion of restricting energy exports, calling such a move "extremely harmful to Canadians" and "not a viable option." Smith has also expressed reluctance about the alcohol import bans other provinces have implemented against U.S. goods.
Kenney pushed back on that cautious approach, arguing that Alberta possesses significant leverage that shouldn't be ignored. More than two-thirds of Alberta's oil flows south to the United States — a dependency that could translate into real economic pressure on Washington.
"We need to be mindful of where we have the greatest leverage, not to play that card now or not to recklessly threaten things, but quietly to remind them that there are some very damaging ways that we could affect the American economy without negatively affecting our own," Kenney explained.
He suggested a modest tax on energy exports — rather than an outright ban — could serve as a strategic warning without triggering the severe economic damage that a complete export halt would cause. Kenney also recommended that Alberta and Saskatchewan join other provinces in restricting U.S. alcohol imports, noting that such measures appear to have gained attention at the White House.
Former Rivals Unite on National Unity
Kenney's intervention in the trade debate comes as he and former NDP Premier Rachel Notley have announced they're co-chairing a campaign to keep Alberta in Canada. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is backing the effort, which aims to demonstrate that Alberta's prosperity is tied to remaining part of the federation.
The unlikely partnership between the two former political opponents — Kenney's UCP defeated Notley's government in 2019 — signals concern about separatist sentiment amid the trade turmoil.
This article is based on reporting from CBC News.