NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling for the inclusion of federal party leaders in Ottawa’s meetings with the premiers to discuss the threat of U.S. tariffs.
“I understand that you have convened an in-person meeting with Canada’s premiers. This is a positive step,” Singh said in a Jan. 15 letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “It is within this spirit that I am formally requesting that this table be expanded on an ongoing basis.”
Trudeau held an in-person meeting with Canada’s premiers on the same day, and vowed to take a “strong, national approach” to the incoming U.S. administration.
Singh said the leaders of the NDP, Conservatives, Bloc Québécois, and Green parties, as well as indigenous organizations, labour unions, and business leaders, should be brought together “immediately” to coordinate a response to the threat of tariffs by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.
Singh said several premiers had sent “contradictory” messages in recent days, while businessman and television personality Kevin O’Leary had been attempting to direct negotiations with Trump about passports.
“In the absence of a coordinated approach, these one-offs will continue, and they could have a lasting impact on our ability to respond to U.S. tariffs,” Singh said.
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While Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said his province would be open to cutting off energy supplies to the states of Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin in response to U.S. tariffs, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Quebec Premier François Legault, and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey have said they are not in favour of this approach.
Ottawa has also not ruled out cutting off energy exports to the U.S. either. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said on Jan. 12 that “everything is on the table” when asked about such a move.
Singh said the upcoming visit of the premiers to Washington, D.C., next month to meet with members of the new administration, presents an opportunity to include business and labour leaders in discussions. This would “forge the all-hands-on-deck” type of approach the situation demands, he said.
When questioned about Singh’s letter at a press conference, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Canada needs to send a clear message to the incoming U.S. administration that, “we’re ready to dig in for four years, and there’s an easy way and there’s a hard way to do it, but we’re ready for both.”
Miller said he did not believe the other party leaders were entitled to be part of the meeting with premiers, but that the decision was ultimately up to the prime minister.
“You’re the premier of a province for a reason … people voted for you to be in that position. It doesn’t necessarily always mean bringing every single person to the meeting. Those people are certainly entitled to be briefed at times,” he said.
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said he would hold a meeting with public safety critics from all parties following the press conference. He said the government was open to getting the “best ideas we can source” and finding common ground with other parties.
“If leaders of the opposition have constructive ideas to be considered to implement, to improve the situation, I think we’re all open here,” he said. “I’m sure the prime minister will bring the same approach today.”
