Manitoba’s premier calling on President Trump to end Iran conflict

Manitoba’s Premier is calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran as the conflict continues to strain the global economy and put people at risk, saying the province will welcome anyone fleeing the country, which is currently under siege by the U.S. and Israel. 

“Donald Trump has to stop this war right away,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “For the Iranian community, we’ll be there. I can tell you that we have been talking to the federal government about this — and all of the other international issues that have been going on recently — and our message has been: ‘Let’s work together to try and get people out of harm’s way and of course, Manitoba will always step up as a place that will help.” 

Premier Kinew said the war — which has sent fuel prices spiking — also has a very real human cost, as more than 1,270 people have been killed, according to Iranian State Media.

“I know our kids worry about what they see or hear in conversations, but what about the kids over there?” Kinew asked.

The Premier said the current conflict doesn’t make sense and claims Manitobans and Canadians are tired of Trump. 

“There’s no need for the American president to do what he’s doing. I think we’ve had enough of his approach to politics.” 

Tuesday marked day 10 of the conflict, and University of Manitoba Finance Professor, Shiu-Yik Au, says the conflict has the potential to raise costs across the board, with diesel costs having a ripple effect in the supply chain, the instability is taking a toll across the economy, and on people’s emotions, which can cause a general cooling.

“There’s a lot of chaos in the system,” said Au. “Sometimes feelings are enough to actually drive the economy. It’s a little strange to think that someone’s feelings can have an effect like this, but it does.” 

He says that while action by government leaders, like Kinew locally and Prime Minister Mark Carney or even President Trump, can help increase stability, members of the public can play a role as well.

“It’s also very important to consider the human cost and how we as Canadians can stand up to make sure we minimize it,” said Au. “We are known for being peacekeepers and helping to bring stability to the world, for bridging disputes – both in Canada and outside of Canada – so maybe there’s a role for Canadians to play in calming this down and bringing peace to the region.”