Canada must remain nimble as it braces for Trump era: feds’ economic adviser
OTTAWA — The head of the Trudeau government’s influential council of economic advisers recommends Ottawa stay agile, just in case Donald Trump delivers on vows that could have severe implications for Canada.
Dominic Barton, the global managing director of consulting firm McKinsey & Co., said in an interview that while it remains unclear what exactly the president-elect will do, he cautioned that Trump’s pledges on trade and taxation must be taken seriously in Canada.
“If something does happen … then I think we’re going to have to be ready to go back to the table … you think about budgets or you think about tax cuts,” said Barton, who, as chair of the economic growth council, has the ear of Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
“I’m hoping — I’m praying, if you would — that there won’t be any of that type of thing happening. But we’ve just got to be ready.”