Ontario Premier Doug Ford proposed a Canada-US energy alliance on Wednesday to dampen talk of Canada becoming the 51st American state as touted by President-elect Donald Trump.
Ford, premier of Canada鈥檚 most populated province, said the energy alliance known as Fortress Am-Can, would create big benefits for both countries.
鈥淲ith a new administration set to take office in the White House, our government has an ambitious plan to build up Fortress Am-Can to usher in a new American and Canadian century defined by unprecedented growth, job creation and prosperity,鈥� Ford said in a statement ahead of a news conference.
It is quite a change from Ford鈥檚 stance of a few weeks ago when Trump threatened a 25% tariff on Canadian imports to the US.
Ford responded to the threat by saying he would cut off the energy the Canadian province supplies to 1.5 million homes in the US states of Michigan, New York and Wisconsin.
Trump then took it a step further and said he would use 鈥渆conomic force鈥� to make Canada a 51st state.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded by saying there was not 鈥渁 snowball鈥檚 chance in hell鈥� of that happening.
Ford said Wednesday that the Fortress Am-Can alliance would see the electrical grid integrated and 鈥渆nsure both countries adhere to best practices for power system security against foreign interference, cyberattacks, terrorist and extreme weather, among other threats,鈥� the Toronto Star reported.
The new conference follows Ford鈥檚 appearance on Fox News on Tuesday, where he said the 51st state idea will never happen.
鈥淚 get it. President-elect Trump is a real estate tycoon. He鈥檚 made billions. But that property is not for sale. It鈥檚 as simple as that,鈥� Ford said.
By Barry Ellsworth in Trenton, Canada
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr