N.B. premier says power to keep flowing to Maine at this point amid trade war

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt has affirmed that her province will not cut off electricity supplies to Maine, even amidst Canada's escalating trade dispute with the United States. Holt described such a move as an "extremely serious measure," emphasizing the deep, generational ties between New Brunswick and its American neighbors.

This stance contrasts with warnings from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who indicated a potential to halt his province's power exports to the U.S. Holt's comments came as the federal government prepared to announce its counter-tariff strategy later the same day.

Holt also revealed that her government is examining whether the joint provincial-federal $13.7 million tariff relief fund requires additional funding in the upcoming provincial budget. This review is prompted by the imposition of increased U.S. levies.

Working in tandem with Ottawa, New Brunswick is developing retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated Canada's intention to implement dollar-for-dollar tariffs in response to the U.S.'s new 50 percent duties on a significant volume of Canadian products. These U.S. tariffs were enacted over the weekend following the breakdown of trade negotiations.

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it would be an extremely serious measure to turn off the power to communities who have been friends and neighbours to New Brunswick for generations.