N.B. premier directing public institutions to stop buying American amid trade war

“We’ve seen this movie before. When you put a tax on products coming across the border, someone pays that bill, and too often, that somebody is a family sitting around their kitchen table trying to make ends meet.”

On another front, Holt said her government will determine if it has the authority to prevent Americans from obtaining fishing and hunting licences, as well as staking mining claims.

“This is a negotiating tool that creates a significant response among … influential Americans,” she said, referring specifically to hunting and fishing licences.

“And we also know that New Brunswickers love their moose licenses, and if we can get a few more of those into the hands of New Brunswickers, I think they’d appreciate that opportunity.”

The premier also announced a long list of compensation, training and employee retention programs for New Brunswick businesses affected by the trade war. She said the province will also launch a market diversification strategy, as well as a renewed buy-local campaign. 

“When you have the choice, we’re asking you to choose New Brunswick and Canadian products,” Holt said.

In February 2025, Holt directed the provincial Crown corporation NB Liquor to stop buying U.S. alcohol and remove all American products from its shelves, as did most other provinces. At the time, the New Brunswick government also started reviewing its procurement policies.

On Thursday, Holt said that in the 2025-26 fiscal year, her government cut its spending on U.S. contracts from $34.4 million to $16.4 million. That reduced the amount of contracts going to American suppliers from 1.4 per cent to 0.7 of the $2-billion spent on contracts.

In January, the province starting selling off its remaining stock of U.S. booze, but Holt announced Thursday that NB Liquor would stop marketing American brands and begin giving priority to Canadian products.

This report by Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2026.  

— By Tori Fitzpatrick in Halifax

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

N.B. premier directing public institutions to stop buying American amid trade war

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