Premier R.J. Simpson says NWT residents might have to put up with some pain based on the United States putting tariffs on Canadian products.
"It might be a difficult few years for us," he said in the legislative assembly, "but I know that we are going to stay united and we are going to resist."
Simpson's comments were made on March 4, the same day U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, except for 10 per cent rates on energy imported from Canada.
Reliance on U.S. goods and services will be reduced through the GNWT, according to the premier.
"We've directed the departments to refrain from procuring anything from American companies, wherever possible. We're looking at how to end our contracts with Starlink [satellite internet service] and we're going to do anything else we can to support team Canada and Canadians and Northerners," he added.
A day earlier, Simpson said he's been having almost weekly conversations with all premiers across the country and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about what the country's plan is.
"I don't think there's a lot of nuance in what the president has to say about annexing Canada," said Simpson. "I think if you read what he's saying, you listen to what he says, it sounds like he's serious about it."
Simpson also mentioned Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has said he will cut off electricity to the U.S. in retaliation to Trump's tariffs. Simpson said he wishes he could also make those types of threats.
"But the fact is, we don't have that type of economy," Simpson said. "We don't have those types of direct exports to the United States to be able to make those types of threats. We're not currently exporting any critical minerals to the United States and so we're in a much different position."
That said, the NWT premier added that he is confident Canadians can come together to support Canadian businesses and make sure Americans are feeling the negative impacts of boycotts and counter-tariffs.
Canada is moving forward with its own 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of imported goods, beginning with a as of March 4.
