Close X
Sunday, March 16, 2025
ADVT 
National

Trudeau tells economic summit Trump is serious about taking over Canada

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Feb, 2025 10:58 AM
  • Trudeau tells economic summit Trump is serious about taking over Canada
 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Donald Trump is not joking when he says he'd like to make Canada the 51st state, and the U.S. president's desire to annex this country is related to its supply of critical minerals.

Trudeau made the remarks to more than 100 business, labour and industry leaders who were invited to an economic summit today in Toronto.

His comments were made behind closed doors after reporters were ushered out of the room, but the Toronto Star was able to hear what Trudeau was saying because the audio was inadvertently broadcast.

The Star, which first reported the story, says Trudeau was answering a question from one of those attending the summit.

The prime minister said the Trump administration knows what critical minerals Canada has and "that may be even why they keep talking about absorbing us and making us the 51st state."

Three cabinet ministers who were at the summit did not deny that Trudeau made the comments about the Trump administration.

"They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those," Trudeau said, according to the Toronto Star report.

"But Mr. Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country. And it is a real thing."

Transport Minister Anita Anand, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon spoke to reporters outside the room shortly after and were asked about Trudeau's comments.

Anand said it's clear that everyone in the room agreed on one thing. "And that is, there will be no messing with the 49th parallel," she said.

"Canada is free. Canada is sovereign. Canada will choose its own destiny, thank you very much," MacKinnon said.

Champagne said he's been in Washington, D.C., this week making the case against tariffs.

"One thing that I made clear is that the supply chain are very integrated, and that Canada is prepared and willing to work with our American friends on the basis of mutual respect, respecting our sovereignty, respecting the dignity of our workers and our industry," he said.

"And they understand now better than ever that you cannot pick on Canada and make life more affordable for Americans."

MORE National ARTICLES

Chilly temperatures to hang on in southern B.C., forecaster says

Chilly temperatures to hang on in southern B.C., forecaster says
Winter's grip on southern British Columbia may hang on as a few flurries remain in the forecast for parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.  Meteorologist Derek Lee with Environment Canada says anotherlow-pressure system could bring flurries for Saturday and Sunday, but it won't be widespread, and will likely fall in Eastern Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. 

Chilly temperatures to hang on in southern B.C., forecaster says

Armed man arrested in Vancouver after barricading himself in taxi

Armed man arrested in Vancouver after barricading himself in taxi
Vancouver Police say more than 25 officers and its K9 unit were deployed in the city's downtown Thursday night to arrest an armed suspect who was wanted Canada-wide on parole violations. They say that a police sergeant was on patrolling around 7 p.m. when a witness flagged him over to report a man with a gun entering a building near Seymour and Nelson streets.

Armed man arrested in Vancouver after barricading himself in taxi

Police ask for help in probe of B.C. woman's death in fall from a truck

Police ask for help in probe of B.C. woman's death in fall from a truck
The RCMP's major crime unit is asking for the public's help in investigating the death of a woman almost a month ago in Trail. Police say 38-year-old Laura Morrison was the front passenger in a 2023 white Ford F-150 late on Jan. 9 when she reportedly fell from the moving vehicle.

Police ask for help in probe of B.C. woman's death in fall from a truck

Trump's choice for chief trade negotiator says tariff threat is about fentanyl

Trump's choice for chief trade negotiator says tariff threat is about fentanyl
Jamieson Greer, Trump's choice for U.S. trade representative, told his Senate confirmation hearing that America doesn't want to see another fentanyl death. He said the president would be acting within his powers if he imposed steep duties on Canadian imports.

Trump's choice for chief trade negotiator says tariff threat is about fentanyl

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking
A "significant portion" of opioids prescribed by doctors and pharmacists in British Columbia are being diverted, and prescribed alternatives are being trafficked provincially, nationally and internationally, a Ministry of Health investigative unit says.

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking

MPs reject Trump's idea of clearing out Gaza as Israeli minister points to Canada

MPs reject Trump's idea of clearing out Gaza as Israeli minister points to Canada
Canadian politicians are pushing back on the idea of clearing Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip as an Israeli minister suggests some of them could be sent to Canada. The previous day, U.S. President Donald Trump stunned leaders across the Middle East and beyond when he suggested that the territory be cleared out and made into a U.S.-owned resort destination.

MPs reject Trump's idea of clearing out Gaza as Israeli minister points to Canada

PrevNext