Premiers take aim at Buy America policies


Manitoba Premier Gary Doer (L-R) Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell sit at the start of the Council of Federation meeting in Regina on Thursday.

REUTERS
Provincial unite behind Prime Minister ahead of next week's meeting with U.S and Mexican presidents in Guadalajara

Comments (65)

Brian Laghi

Regina — The Globe and Mail
Last updated on Thursday, Aug. 06, 2009 07:08PM EDT


Canadian premiers hiked their rhetoric this morning against Buy America policies, pledging to equip Prime Minister Stephen Harper with provincial backing for his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama next week.

Premiers entered their second day of meetings with Buy America at the forefront, arguing that the United States needs to know there are no cracks among Canada's leadership before Mr. Harper meets with Mr. Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

The strongest words emerged from Quebec Premier Jean Charest, who questioned the U.S. commitment to open markets.

“We will find out in this new administration whether they are ready to live up to their rhetoric on trade or whether or not they are going in another direction,â€