Saskatchewan beekeepers produce more honey per capita than any other province. More than 100 producers rely on the American market for 15 to 20 per cent of their sales. That portion of the market could be wiped out by the 50 per cent U.S. tariff. “It’ll be going to places like Europe and Southeast Asia and trying to develop those markets out but that’s not an immediate short term solution that we can go to them and all of a sudden have [them] accepting Canadian honey,” said Simon Lalonde with the Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission. Analysts say Saskatchewan may not be heavily affected by the latest tariffs compared to other provinces. “Saskatchewan’s reasonably insulated. If there’s a tariff on agricultural machinery parts is one thing that’s come up so there’ll be some targeted stuff, the kind of back of the envelope stuff,” said Jim Farney, director at the School of Public Policy at Queen’s University. “Ontario and B.C. will be the hardest hit because of auto and forestry.” Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged Canada will match U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar while Ottawa continues to respond to the latest trade measures. “The Canadian response has to be carefully thought through, carefully calibrated to make sure that we’re having the maximum impact, economically and politically in the United States with the minimum blowback in Canada,” said the member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations Ralph Goodale. Saskatchewan businesses affected by the tariffs are hoping the impact can be managed and new markets can be found. “What matters most right now to not only local but to all businesses is a strategic response from our federal government and a pathway back to the table to ultimately land on a deal that provides predictability, stability and a fair deal,” said Mike Tate, CEO of the Regina Chamber of Commerce. Some industry experts believe the status quo is unlikely to return in Canada U.S. trade relations. They believe a protectionist attitude prevails among many Republicans and Democrats, something Canada may have to contend with for the long term.
