The federal leaders are offering up their plans to combat the trade tariffs from the United States.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre outlined a three-step plan that includes reciprocal tariffs.
He also proposes to make renegotiating a new free trade deal priority one.
“On day one as Prime Minister, I will propose to the President to accelerate renegotiations to replace CUSMA, bringing in a new deal on trade and security,” says Poilievre.
“We should set a firm deadline to finalize a deal. And I will propose that both countries pause tariffs while we try to hammer out a deal. Keeping destructive tariffs kills jobs on both sides of the border and serves no purpose.”
He also assures Canadians that certain issues will be off the table in those talks.
“I will protect our border, our security, our resources, our farmers, including our supply-managed farmers, our fresh water, and our automotive workers. Also off the table: our sovereignty, our laws, our currency, our land, our water, our skies, our culture, our official languages, our resources, and Indigenous rights will remain in our control for all time. These are non-negotiable.”
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also announced the protection of some of the same areas, adding healthcare and labour, and support to match the U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar.
Singh says his plan would also put workers first.
“Let’s invest in creating good jobs here in Canada using Canadian content, Canadian workers to build the infrastructure we need,” says Singh.
“If we’re going to build roads, bridges, homes, let’s use Canadian content and Canadian workers and let’s favour unionized workers in all those projects.”
Singh also reiterated previously announced campaign promises to remove the GST on household essentials and stronger employment insurance support for workers impacted.
Liberal leader Mark Carney announced plans to protect Canada’s agriculture and agrifood sectors.
They include supporting the construction of more domestic processing plants, including in rural and remote areas of the country and increasing financial support for farmers, ranchers and producers to access new markets and acquire new equipment that makes their farms more efficient.
“From defending supply management to investing more and cutting red tape, my new government will ensure Canadian farmers, ranchers, and agrifood workers have what they need to be protected and ensure they can get food from Canadian farms to Canadian plates,” says Carney.
Carney also committed to protect Canada’s dairy sector in any new free trade deal talks with the U.S.
The federal election takes place on April 28th.
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