Ford, Holt agree with Carney — almost nothing is ‘normal’ with U.S. right now

OTTAWA – Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said Wednesday they agree with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s suggestion “almost nothing is normal” right now with the United States.

“I agree with him. I think the whole world is watching that, including Americans,” Ford told a news conference in Ottawa.

“It’s unfortunate President (Donald) Trump has taken this avenue that he’s going down, but remember — a tariff on Canada is a tax on Americans. Americans know it, they’re feeling it.”

Holt said she agrees “nothing is the same” with the United States and New Brunswickers don’t recognize their longtime neighbours and trading partners.

“We see it in New Brunswick right now with ICE agents on the border of New Brunswick and Maine and Calais, and it makes all of us very, very uncomfortable,” she said. “There’s nothing that we recognize in our neighbours right now with the leadership that they have.”

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet asked Carney Tuesday in the House of Commons if he could guarantee that “normal, cordial negotiations are happening with Washington” as North America’s free-trade pact comes up for renewal.

Carney replied that Washington has changed and “almost nothing is normal in the United States at the moment.”

Speaking with reporters in Ottawa, Holt and Ford sought to highlight Canadian resilience in the face of Trump’s tariff war.

They pointed to a sharp increase in Ontario exports shipping through Port Saint John, which have more than doubled in the year since Trump returned to office.

Premiers are huddled for two days of meetings in the nation’s capital. They’re looking to present a united “Team Canada” front as trade tensions with the United States rise ahead of trade negotiations, and as Trump threatens to impose more tariffs.

But ongoing interprovincial tensions are hanging over the meetings. 

Key among the sticking points is B.C.’s frustration with Ottawa’s endorsement of a possible pipeline to the West Coast.

B.C. Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met with Carney today. All the premiers will meet with Carney on Thursday.

After that meeting, Smith told reporters asking about the prospect of a new pipeline that she saw signs of “progress” and the talks went very well.

Eby said later that Alberta has yet to identify sites where a pipeline would exit, it has not yet identified a proponent who would fund it, nor engaged with coastal First Nations.

“So, they are in a very early stage in this project. They committed to keep us updated as we move forward,” Eby said.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has also protested Ford’s plans to pull Crown Royal whisky from government-run liquor store shelves. The product is made in Gimli, Man.

Ford said he understands Kinew is “doing what any other premier would do, try to protect his jobs,” while Ontario is doing the same.

All of the premiers who spoke to reporters Wednesday, however, emphasized a sense of unity against a shared economic threat.

Kinew said this was “one of the most amicable and calm meetings that we’ve had since I’ve been at the premiers’ table.”

“I’m feeling positive,” Ford said. “Compared to last year, with the government basically falling, Trump just got sworn in, he was attacking us and … the whole world was kissing his backside.”

“But now we know … President Trump’s rules: There are no rules with him,” Ford added. “So, we need to focus on what we can do.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 28, 2026.