The National Post reports in its Friday, Sept. 4, edition that Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Ottawa should consider blocking oil exports to the United States to give Canada leverage in the trade war that's now hitting that province hard. The Post's Josh Dehaas writes that Mr. Ford told reporters on Tuesday last week, "Even if the federal government buys the oil and puts it into reserves, that's what we need to do until they feel the pain." Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who wants to double oil production, pushed back the next day with a special address. "Although I understand the need to respond strongly to these tariffs, I cannot think of a more disastrous policy decision than cutting off or taxing Alberta's oil to the U.S." she said. This means the metaphorical taps are now in Prime Minister Mark Carney's hands. But can he really cut off or put an export tax on Alberta oil without violating the constitutional division of powers? The answer is probably yes, but don't expect Alberta to go down without a fight. Legal arguments aside, the Post says it seems obvious the Carney government would be playing with fire by blocking oil exports. While such a move might play well in Ontario and Quebec, it won't in Alberta.