Take a hike Jack and Jim — that’s Daniels and Beam, respectively — as American-made alcohol products will no longer be purchased by the NWT Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
That’s one of the only direct moves the NWT can take at present to protest United States President Donald Trump’s 25-per-cent tariffs on most Canadian goods, which came into effect today.
Premier R.J. Simpson told the NWT Assembly that Canadians and Northerners will have to put up with some pain, based on the tariffs.
He said: “It might be a difficult few years for us, but I know that we’re going to stay united and we’re going to resist.”
Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart asked Premier Simpson about the potential impact the trade war could have in the North.
Said Testart: “Today is a fairly momentous day in the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. Donald Trump has imposed his tariffs, and Canadians are reeling from the consequences. Markets are reeling from the consequences. And our future is increasingly uncertain.
“I know the Premier has been front and centre with Team Canada on protecting our nation’s interests and Northerners interests. Can he provide an update to this house, now that these tariffs are reality?”
NWT premier R.J. Simpson speaks in the NWT Assembly on Tuesday March 4th about the Trump tariffs. The Premier wears a mask as he is recovering from a seasonal illness, one which forced him to call in sick on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Assembly livestream)
The Premier responded: “For our part, here in the Northwest Territories, we’ve directed the NWT Liquor and Cannabis Commission to cease all procurement of American products. We’ve directed other departments to refrain from procuring anything from American companies wherever possible.
“We’re looking at how to end our contracts with (Elon Musk’s satellite internet company) Starlink, and we’re going to continue to do anything else we can to support team Canada and Canadians and Northerners.
“We don’t want the Americans to be able to use economic force or coercion to weaken our federation to the point that we are at risk of annexation. And frankly, I don’t see that happening.
“I can’t imagine a world where the Americans are in control of Canada. It’s just not something that I think any of us, any of us can fathom.”
Canada’s three northern premiers are all taking steps to protect their territory’s economies.
Canada has responded to the Trump Trade War by putting tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods, with $125 billion more in three weeks time.
Meanwhile, NWT MP Michael McLeod stated, “there are no winners in a trade war,” in an afternoon release.
“Northerners are known for our hospitality,” he stated. “But we are also tough, and are ready to stand up for our principles, our people, and our country.”
Back in the Assembly, Environment Minister Jay Macdonald said preparations are well underway for the upcoming wildfire season.
In addition to a number of new or enhanced FireSmart programs, community fire departments across the NWT over the winter have provided community and home risk assessments.
And this spring, the GNWT will co-host a wildfire preparedness gathering in Yellowknife, in partnership with the NWT Association of Communities.
“This event will bring together fire department members, community leaders and Indigenous leaders from across the NWT’s forested communities,” stated Macdonald, noting activities will include training on wildfire management and responses.
Annual training will start shortly to ensure wildfire management teams are fully prepared once the snow melts and the fire danger rises.
Do some students in smaller communities face roadblocks in obtaining a good education? An MLA believes so. (CKLB files)
Also on Tuesday, Health Minister Lesa Semmler said a policy change is in the works that would better address incidents such as the angry individual who allegedly pointed a firearm at a security officer outside Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife on Saturday afternoon.
The 25-year-old suspect ran off, but was later arrested by Yellowknife RCMP.
As noted by MLA Testart, there is no Code Silver (shelter in place) policy here, as is common in southern hospitals. What was called on Saturday was Code White, which Testart said means staff from each department are to attend on at the site of the incident to assist.
Testart noted that could actually lead to an increasing risk to safety of hospital staff.
Meanwhile, Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong underscored what she termed as a divide between education outcomes in small communities, as opposed to urban students.
The graduation rate in the NWT fell below 60-per-cent for the 2022/23 school year. Attendance rates are trending downwards across the territory, falling as low as 63.5-per-cent, or lower.
“We can blame the pandemic for these declining rates, but this has been happening for over a decade,” she said, noting some kids in smaller communities have roadblocks to learning.
“Students need to attend school, but in small communities, there are other considerations: bussing and getting to the school building; fewer remote learning options; and the need to be on the land at different times throughout the year.”
