Provinces respond to Trump's tariffs
Canada’s Response to Trump Tariffs and What Does Each Province Have Planned
An executive order imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico—excluding Canadian energy products, which face a 10% tariff on oil, gas, and electricity. A 10% tariff on Chinese goods followed shortly after, and a global 25% tariff on steel and aluminum is now moving forward. As Canada, Mexico, and China respond with their own countermeasures, trade tensions continue to escalate, fueling even greater uncertainty for Canada and its trading partners.
What began as a single trade action has quickly grown into a wave of escalating tariffs, intensifying tensions and shaking global markets. For Canada, these tariffs are no longer distant threats. They are real, they are in effect, and there is every reason to believe more could follow.
The growing unpredictability of cross-border trade—and the global reactions it has triggered—has deepened the urgency for Canada to develop its own resources and secure long-term economic stability. More than ever, the focus is on strengthening local supply chains, accelerating resource development, and reducing reliance on volatile international relationships.
This moment has united leaders across the country. Premier after premier has stepped forward with plans to fast-track mining and energy projects. Federal leaders have pledged millions to expand the production of critical minerals, from lithium and nickel to copper. The message is clear: those who act quickly will thrive. Those who wait may lose the opportunity altogether.
RJ Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories, summed it up:
“We need to focus on investing in Canada, investing in infrastructure, investing in mineral exploration companies and mine development. We have the resources, the know-how, and we have the capital.”
That’s the national conversation right now. It’s urgent, direct, and forcing every province to decide whether to take bold action or risk falling behind.
So, what is each province doing to mitigate these potential tariff threats?
British Columbia: Fast-Tracking New Projects to Offset Tariffs
British Columbia’s leaders see Trump’s tariff measures as both a challenge and a reason to move faster. The province has announced plans to expedite major mining and energy projects, aiming to stay ahead of global instability. Officials are focusing on two key critical mineral mines: Red Chris and Highland Valley Copper. They’re also revisiting a cluster of gold, silver, and copper projects that have faced lengthy reviews or pushback.
B.C. Premier David Eby told reporters the province views America’s “instability” as an opportunity to build stable partnerships with Asia, Europe, and beyond. His goal is to supply critical minerals to the world while growing B.C.’s economy at the same time.
The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) has identified 17 large-scale deposits that, if developed, could each generate around one billion dollars annually.
Why It Matters for Canada:
B.C. anticipates higher exports of copper, used in everything from electric vehicles to solar farms.
Expedited permits get mines built faster, supporting local workers and their communities.
More mines mean more tax revenue to reinvest in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Canada’s Investment in Quebec
Quebec is also charging ahead. Ottawa has pledged up to $43.5 million to support research and infrastructure related to essential materials like lithium, nickel, and tantalum. Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said these projects aim to strengthen Canada’s global supply chains and boost rural communities.
The province plans to electrify remote mining sites by extending the Hydro-Québec grid. Dumont Nickel secured funding for a feasibility study on connecting its nickel and cobalt project to the grid via an eight-kilometer transmission line. Sayona Nord Inc., Cbay Minerals, and Commerce Resources also received conditional support for feasibility studies and early-stage work on new roads and powerlines. These initiatives aim to cut energy costs, lower carbon emissions, and create local employment opportunities.
Ontario Eyes More Than Minerals
While we haven’t heard directly from Ontario in response to the latest U.S. tariffs, the province has spent years strengthening its mining industry. One report explains how Industry leaders, small mining companies, government bodies and other stakeholders have come together with a shared goal: to make Ontario more mining friendly.
Key priorities include streamlining regulations—such as the Building More Mines Act and the One Project, One Process initiative—to accelerate permitting, addressing labor shortages through education and immigration, advancing ESG standards, and prioritizing critical minerals like lithium and cesium, which are essential for clean energy and national security.
These efforts were already underway before Trump’s tariff measures, but the growing trade pressures could accelerate their implementation as Ontario looks to safeguard its economic future.
Manitoba Is Falling Behind
Manitoba has an incredible opportunity right beneath its feet. But the Manitoba government has passed up a key opportunity to engage in what could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to create higher-paying jobs and greater financial independence for the province.
Sio Silica has discovered the largest known deposit of high-purity quartz sand—an essential ingredient in semiconductors, smartphones, solar panels, fiber optics, medical devices, and even defense applications. Deposits like this are rare, and Sio Silica’s leadership calls it a generational opportunity.
A Global Crisis on the Horizon
Industry experts warn of a worldwide shortage of high-purity quartz by 2032. Demand is rising rapidly, as advanced technologies depend on it. Solar farms, military-grade equipment, and next-generation processors all rely on silica of this quality. Countries with significant deposits will have massive influence over future supply chains. Manitoba has a chance to be one of those key players—if it acts now.
A Resource Meant for Manitobans
Sio Silica’s CEO, Feisal Somji, states it clearly:
“Our deposit is a generational opportunity to build a resilient and prosperous future. We’re ready to create good-paying jobs, including valuable positions for Indigenous communities.”
The company is fully funded and ready to move forward. There’s no question about the finances or the market demand. The only thing holding the project back is political inaction.
A Different Kind of Mining
Unlike traditional open-pit operations, Sio Silica uses environmentally responsible techniques that don’t leave scars on the land or require fleets of heavy trucks. Rolling reclamation ensures the land remains healthy—no massive pits, no dust clouds, and no tailings ponds. It’s exactly the type of green operation policymakers often say they want.
So why isn’t the project moving? Critics point to the government’s inaction to make a definitive decision.
The Real Cost of Waiting
Manitoba could become a global supplier of an increasingly scarce resource, driving economic growth and generating a steady stream of tax revenue. But every month of delay increases the risk of missing out. Markets move fast, and investors won’t wait forever. Without approval, Manitoba’s moment could easily be overtaken by regions more willing to act.
Jobs, Skills, and Self-Sufficiency
Sio Silica’s deposit isn’t just about supplying factories. It could also transform communities by creating new job opportunities and specialized training programs. Skilled trades and technical positions in mining, processing, and logistics could elevate Manitoba’s workforce. But the longer officials hesitate, the more likely workers will leave for provinces where major projects are already underway.
Time to Act
This is Manitoba’s chance to secure a future that doesn’t rely on outside forces or a single trading partner. Trump’s tariffs and ongoing trade disputes have made it clear that Canada must strengthen its own resource base. Manitoba holds the key—literally, in the ground.
Those who’ve reviewed the data say the resource is unmatched: lab-verified purity reaching 99.999%. Imagine the world’s smartphone, solar, and semiconductor industries turning to Manitoba as their preferred supplier. That future is within reach. It all comes down to one critical step: the government’s green light.