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B.C. Premier David Eby said he had a productive meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, which included a “frank discussion” on U.S.-Canada relations amid ongoing tensions over tariffs.
Hoekstra would not share much of what was discussed in the 45-minute Tuesday afternoon meeting. But as he walked away from the grounds of the B.C. Legislature, he said he thought Eby was “great” and that he had visited Victoria before, calling it an “awesome town.”
“The president and the prime minister talked on Sunday, they may talk again this week. I think any updates should come from the prime minister or the president,” he said.
“We covered lots of topics and we’re both smiling. It was a good meeting.”
The meeting came as Canada and the U.S. are in the midst of negotiating the Canada-U.S.-Mexico-Agreement, also known as CUSMA, which Canada hopes will help ease tariffs on key industries, including softwood lumber.
Eby released a statement, calling the meeting “productive” and thanked the ambassador for his visit.
“While Ambassador Hoekstra and I did not agree on everything, we both expressed our hopes for a positive outcome to trade negotiations between our two countries,” the statement said.
“While Canada’s sovereignty is not up for discussion, I will always look for ways to improve our trade relationships for the benefit of workers and businesses in B.C.”
Eby said their meeting included a “frank discussion” about the dispute over U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber, money laundering and transnational crime, B.C.’s ban on American alcohol, and CUSMA negotiations. He also asked for President Donald Trump and Congress to allow states on the Pacific coast to join B.C. in permanent daylight saving time.
Prior to the meeting, Eby said he was “eternally hopeful” that Canada could move back toward a good relationship with its closest neighbour. However, he noted the impact of tariffs on the softwood lumber industry and Trump’s comments about annexing Canada.
“We cannot replace that trading market, even as we try to diversify – and we will – to other countries,” he said.
“Hopefully we’re able to make some progress on this, but I’m sure that both of us recognize some of the challenges in our relationship right now.”
In the review of CUSMA that is underway, Canada is expected to push for the removal of tariffs targeting key sectors, including Canadian steel, aluminum, automobiles, softwood lumber, copper products and more.
David Eby answered questions from reporters ahead of a meeting with Pete Hoekstra, U.S. ambassador to Canada. (Emily Fagan)
Eby said he told the ambassador he condemned the shooting outside of Toronto’s U.S. consulate on Tuesday morning, saying that the violence is not a way to send a message.
“It makes us all less safe and it doesn’t solve any problems, it creates problems,” he said ahead of the meeting.
Trevor Halford, interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives, said he doesn’t feel Eby’s actions toward the United States, such as removing U.S. alcohol from B.C.’s liquor stores, have helped move things forward.
“Nothing that he’s done so far has worked out for him,” said Halford. “So whatever he’s doing, he should probably do the opposite.”
Hoekstra previously called Canadians ‘mean and nasty’ for boycotts
The U.S. ambassador spoke out strongly last summer against Canadians boycotting U.S. travel, and provinces like B.C. that had removed American liquor from government-run stores.
“Canadians staying home, that’s their business, you know. I don’t like it, but if that’s what they want to do, it’s fine. They want to ban American alcohol. That’s fine,” Hoekstra said in July.
“There are reasons why the president and some of his team referred to Canada as being mean and nasty to deal with, OK, because of some of those steps.”
When asked about the remarks on Tuesday, Hoekstra declined to comment further.
“My view is that I probably shouldn’t talk about that.”