Albertans react to Trudeau’s resignation

The news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation was met with relief by those living in the heart of oil and gas country in Leduc, 30 minutes south of Edmonton.

“It should have happened five years ago, ten years ago, however long he was in,” said one Leduc resident CityNews spoke to.

Another saying, “I just don’t think he care’s about Alberta.”

READ MORE: ‘Cannot be the best option’: Trudeau resigns as Liberal Party leader, to step down as PM after leadership race

There were no tears shed for the end of Trudeau’s tenure by the people CityNews spoke to Monday afternoon.

“I can’t afford to even think about buying a home, I’ve become a mom since then, and I’ve struggled with groceries, and just life in general,” said a woman CityNews spoke to.

But already, there is a shadow being cast over Alberta’s oil and gas industry. The threat of U.S. tarriffs from President-elect Donald Trump remains.

“I think from what I’m reading on social media and elsewhere, the U.S. President seems intent on putting tariffs in place,” said Premier Danielle Smith.

The president-elect has vowed to bring in a 20 per cent tarriffs on all goods coming from Canada or Mexico as early as his first day in office January 20, if demands around border security are not met.

Premier Smith, sharing concerns about the added uncertainty of negotiations.

READ MORE: Alberta premier slams Trudeau decision as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘selfish’

“So we’ve got a lame-duck leader, with no immediate plans to leave, with no resolution to who is going to be the bargaining partner until, I think it was suggested as late as May. So I believe it’s up to myself, the other premiers to make the case to the Americans ourselves in the absence of federal leadership,” said Smith.

The President of Alberta’s Chamber of Commerce echoed concerns but said the answer could come from within Canada. 

“That inter-provincial trade relationship, if we could really figure that out from east to west coast and get really good with how we trade provincially across Canada, we could actually have a huge impact on alleviating almost all or most of what a tariff would have as impact to our GDP,” explained Shauna Feth, the President of Alberta’s Chamber of Commerce.

Feth urged those in Alberta’s business community to stay vigilant on changing trade talks. 

“Really stay up to date, know what’s happening on the evolving trade policies. It’s really important that all businesses small or large understand that. Specifically when you have those cross-border relationships. Diversification and productivity, really be thinking about how can we automate some of our systems and become much more productive. “

During his resignation Monday, Trudeau says his government will continue to fight for Canada’s economy during tariff negotiations.