Premier calls Quebecers to ‘fight’ U.S. trade threat

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OTTAWA — Quebec Premier François Legault said the threat of American tariffs means Quebec’s world is “changing” and asked people the province to “fight.”

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U.S. President Trump’s tariffs may be delayed until March 4, but members of Quebec’s National Assembly are calling the current climate “exceptional.” The members argued over the impact of the tariffs during an emergency debate Tuesday afternoon.

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“The world, our world, is changing,” Legault said in a rare ministerial address on the floor of the National Assembly’s Salon Rouge before the emergency debate. 

“We have to roll up our sleeves,” he continued. “We have to fight and we have to do it together, intelligently, in the Quebec way,.” He chanted “Vive le Quebec” to a standing ovation from a vast majority of MNAs.

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that U.S. tariffs, planned for Tuesday, were being delayed until next month after Canada presented an acceptable plan to protect its border from illegal immigrants and fentanyl crossings.

The 30-day period is, according to Trump, “to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured.”

The uncertainty created by Trump, Legault added, is already having negative effects on the Canadian economy and on the Quebec economy. “Uncertainty is poison for the economy,” he said.

While Legault reiterated the importance of moving forward with the review of the CUSMA free-trade agreement with the United States and Mexico, which is scheduled for 2026, he also said that his government has “a duty to undertake a major, long-term project to make our economy less dependent on the United States.

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“We must increase our trade with the rest of Canada and yes, we must work towards real free trade between the Canadian provinces,” said Legault. The Liberal opposition, even though it had sharp criticisms of how the Coalition Avenir Québec government deals with the province’s finances, agreed with the premier.

A motion from the minister of the economy in favour of a united front against the threat of tariffs, and an increase in interprovincial trade, was adopted unanimously.

According to government data, Quebec imported $95.9 billion worth of goods and services from other provinces in 2023, a 30-per-cent increase over 2019. At the same time, the province exported $103.9 billion to other provinces, a 25-per-cent increase over the same period.

In Quebec City, all opposition parties agree that the situation is critical. The Speaker of the National Assembly granted the opposition’s request, supported by the CAQ government, to hold an emergency debate on Tuesday afternoon. This

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The united response for emergency action in the Quebec legislature contrasts sharply with the federal government’s attitude toward opposition parties in Ottawa calling for Parliament to be reconvened, after Trudeau prorogued it last month.

The Conservatives have called on the Liberals to end prorogation to debate a national response to potential tariffs that could still be implemented on March 4. Prorogation is not scheduled to end until March 24.

“Conservatives have consistently called for Parliament’s immediate return, and continue to do so. All Members of Parliament should call for Parliament’s immediate return, as should all aspiring Liberal leadership contenders,” said Michael Barrett, Conservative ethics critic.

Conservatives find it “inconceivable” that a “proud” and “strong democracy” should have its federal Parliament closed these circumstances. They argue that MPs should be at work dealing with the crisis, debating and considering responses.

The Liberals say they don’t need to recall Parliament and that they have all the tools necessary to deal with the U.S. administration and help Canadians.

National Post
atrepanier@postmedia.com

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