BANFF — Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says Canada’s trade dispute with the U.S. has been a wake-up call to diversify the province’s economy. Houston was responding late Wednesday to a potential Canada-U.S. trade deal from Banff, Alta., where he’s promoting energy projects at an industry conference. He said the dispute has taught the province it needs to develop more diverse trading partners for sectors like seafood and agriculture, though the U.S. market is still important. He said Nova Scotia also has to be more self-sufficient, especially on the energy file. Houston has championed more mining development, natural gas drilling and a massive offshore wind project known as Wind West in recent years. The offices of New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz both declined Thursday to comment until details of the U.S. trade deal were made public. “The whole experience has taught us something really important about diversification and pushing Nova Scotian opportunities,” Houston told reporters. “That’s why I’m in Alberta right now talking about Nova Scotia gas and Nova Scotia oil and Nova Scotia opportunities. Diversifying our trading partners for our markets and seafood and agriculture and all kinds of things.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2026.
