“You Have to Do the Hard Thing,” Trumpism, Trade, and the Future of Canadian Federalism: A Conversation with Dr. Philippe Couillard

Dr. Philippe Couillard served as Premier of Quebec from 2014 to 2018, after earlier roles as Minister of Health, professor, and practicing neurosurgeon. A lifelong federalist, Dr. Couillard brings a deep understanding of Canadian unity, interprovincial trade, and the shifting global political landscape—topics he continues to reflect on with clarity and candour.

You were Premier of Quebec during the early Trump years. As the U.S. shifts again toward a Trump-like posture, do you see this as a short-term phenomenon, or has something deeper changed?

I think it’s the latter. Trump is a significant figure, no doubt, but there’s a deeper shift happening across liberal democracies. Populism, disinformation, disillusionment with globalization—these are all converging. It’s not just the U.S. Look at Hungary, or other places. Trump is extreme in his behaviour, yes, but he didn’t invent the wave he rode in on. When he was elected, most people—especially the so-called intellectual class—saw him as a fluke. But I remember the Governor of Maine, Paul LePage, told me plainly: “You’re not paying attention to what’s happening under the surface here.” Trump tapped into resentment, especially toward free trade, which many Americans associate with economic decline.

When you engaged with Trump’s team during his first term, what stood out?

Back then, there was still some traditional public service infrastructure around him. The people I dealt with on trade—other than the Under Secretary of Agriculture, who disliked our supply management system—were generally constructive. We got through the USMCA and resolved some tariff issues. But today, that traditional buffer is gone. He’s now surrounded by loyalists, many of whom lack basic policy understanding. That makes things far more volatile.

You alluded to broader forces reshaping politics. What’s driving the shift globally?

A few things. First, the hollowing out of the middle class, which destabilizes the political centre. People feel pushed to extremes. Second, social media creates echo chambers that confirm biases instead of challenging them. People don’t want explanations—they want affirmation. That’s dangerous. There was a study recently showing even ChatGPT can reinforce pre-existing beliefs. Then there’s the rejection of expertise—the cult of ignorance, frankly. Being informed is now viewed by some as elitist. That’s deeply worrying because we live in the most complex world in human history.

In that context, how do we course-correct?

It starts with respect. Political elites—including people like me—have often come across as condescending. We promote free trade as inherently good without acknowledging the real pain it’s caused in certain sectors. People in the Rust Belt or dairy farmers here in Quebec—they’re not wrong to feel left behind. If we want to defend liberal democracy, we need to listen better and communicate why our institutions matter. Otherwise, the populists will continue to fill that void. Trump’s genius, if we can call it that, is in his ability to exploit discontent with simplistic answers.

Which brings us to Trump again—what do you make of his consistency? Is there any strategic throughline in his policies?

I struggle to find one. Most of what he says is reactive, incoherent. His speeches are rambling, his decisions often uninformed. He surrounds himself with people who see him as infallible. It’s more of a cult than an administration. That said, the best way to handle him, as we saw from people like Mark Carney, is to stay calm and strategic. Don’t engage in theatrics—stay firm and respectful. But it’s a dangerous moment. He openly undermines the rule of law and democracy. That message resonates with a worrying number of people—even here in Canada.

Let’s shift to Canada. In a way, Trump’s rise has forced Canadians to think harder about national resilience. What does that mean for federalism?

It’s been eye-opening. Ironically, Trump’s threats may have strengthened Canadian unity. Even in Quebec, polls show greater openness to energy pipelines and national cooperation. But internal trade is still a major issue—and far more complex than people realize. I helped negotiate the 2017 Canadian Free Trade Agreement. It was progress, but filled with exceptions. And many of the barriers aren’t just provincial—they’re federal too. The irony is that Ottawa itself contributes significantly to the problem. Fixing this will take real political will and strong leadership.

And that’s the challenge. Political leaders are often focused on short-term wins. How do we maintain momentum on long-term reforms?

It’s political thermodynamics. You need to constantly inject energy into a system that naturally drifts toward disorder. We need tangible wins—low-hanging fruit that restore confidence. The wine trade issue was one of those. We thought we had progress on direct-to-consumer shipping, but institutional inertia killed it. There are also regional sensitivities. In Quebec, Hydro-Québec gives out contracts that are politically important. Opening those to national competition could be explosive locally. So yes, progress is possible—but only with coordinated, sustained effort.

What role should business leaders play in this transformation?

They need to stop oversimplifying. I’ve heard too many CEOs say, “In my company, if I see a problem, I fix it.” Well, governance in a democracy doesn’t work that way. Business leaders need to recognize complexity, accept their share of responsibility, and help drive change—not just demand it from others. Enlightened corporate leadership is essential right now.

What was your approach to tough trade-offs when you were premier?

You have to face them head-on. Supply management is a good example. During trade negotiations with Europe and Asia—and then the U.S.—Quebec’s dairy sector took a hit every time. And people noticed. There’s a limit to how many times you can tell a group, “You need to sacrifice for the greater good.” Trade-offs are never win-win. Someone always loses something. It’s your job to make sure everyone gets at least something they can hold onto—and to communicate the bigger picture clearly and respectfully.

Speaking of bigger pictures—do you see any opening to revisit the Constitution and bring Quebec into the fold formally?

I’ve long believed Meech Lake was a historic mistake. When I was premier, we explored opening a dialogue—not a full constitutional process, just a conversation. But it was dismissed outright by the federal government. That was disappointing. Still, I believe the time may come. And when it does, it must include Western concerns, not just Quebec’s. I don’t see a successful constitutional reform process happening without that balance. But let’s be clear: another failure could be disastrous. So we must proceed carefully—but not fearfully.