Close X
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

Tories call for House hearings on tariffs amid Liberal tumult as firms seek strategy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Dec, 2024 11:29 AM
  • Tories call for House hearings on tariffs amid Liberal tumult as firms seek strategy

The Conservatives are calling for Parliament to hold hearings in January on Canada-U.S. trade ahead of president-elect Donald Trump's entry to the White House.

The Tories say they have no faith in the Liberals to handle the situation following Monday's resignation of former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, who was set to have a major role in shaping Canada's response to Trump.

The president-elect has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from Canada unless it stops the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S., though officials say both cross from Canada in negligible amounts.

The Conservatives want the House trade committee to hold hearings starting the week of Jan. 6 through to Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, to hear from ministers, senior officials and Canada's ambassador in Washington.

Freeland played a pivotal role negotiating the new North American free trade deal with the U.S. and Mexico during Trump's first presidency.

Trump Monday decried Freeland on the platform Truth Social, saying she had "totally toxic" behaviour that was "not at all conducive to making deals."

Freeland was set to lead the way again, chairing a Canada-U.S. relations committee in cabinet that was revived after Trump won the election in November, and was part of two recent first ministers' meetings with premiers trying to shape a united Team Canada approach.

Roland Paris, who leads the University of Ottawa graduate school of international affairs, says it's crucial that premiers have a coherent response that aligns with Ottawa, or risk Washington exploiting domestic divisions. 

"There is a huge temptation for politicians to exploit the obvious unpopularity of (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau for their own, local advantage," he said.

"But this is a moment when it's really in the national interest for Canadian leaders, to the greatest extent possible, to be co-ordinating their efforts and messages toward the United States."

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the anticipated impact of U.S. tariffs, with more than 100 sectoral groups invited to attend.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Eight-year-old boy hit by vehicle in school parking lot in Nanaimo

Eight-year-old boy hit by vehicle in school parking lot in Nanaimo
An eight-year-old boy is in hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle in Nanaimo. RCMP say it happened in a school parking lot just before eight on Tuesday morning. 

Eight-year-old boy hit by vehicle in school parking lot in Nanaimo

Canadian icon Terry Fox to be featured on new $5 bill

Canadian icon Terry Fox to be featured on new $5 bill
Terry Fox has been selected to appear on the next $5 bank note. The federal government made the revelation in its fall economic statement on Monday.

Canadian icon Terry Fox to be featured on new $5 bill

The Latest: Events unfold on Parliament Hill after Freeland's cabinet resignation

The Latest: Events unfold on Parliament Hill after Freeland's cabinet resignation
Chrystia Freeland resigned from cabinet Monday, leaving her post as deputy prime minister and finance minister on the same day she was expected to deliver the government's fall economic statement. The move reignited calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down and call an election. All times are Eastern.

The Latest: Events unfold on Parliament Hill after Freeland's cabinet resignation

Canada’s quarterly population growth hits slowest pace since early 2022

Canada’s quarterly population growth hits slowest pace since early 2022
Statistics Canada estimates the country's population grew by 176,699 people between July 1 and Oct. 1, marking the slowest pace of growth since the first quarter of 2022. Canada’s population is estimated to have reached roughly 41.5 million people.

Canada’s quarterly population growth hits slowest pace since early 2022

Canada’s inflation rate down a tick to 1.9% in November

Canada’s inflation rate down a tick to 1.9% in November
Inflation edged down slightly to 1.9 per cent in November as price growth continued to stabilize in Canada. Statistics Canada’s consumer price index report Tuesday showed inflation was down from two per cent in October.

Canada’s inflation rate down a tick to 1.9% in November

Toronto terror suspect charged with multiple war crimes: RCMP

Toronto terror suspect charged with multiple war crimes: RCMP
The RCMP say 62-year-old Ahmed Eldidi — who was arrested along with his son earlier this year for alleged terrorism offences — faces four war crimes charges, including murder, mutilation and torture against a protected person in a "non-international armed conflict."

Toronto terror suspect charged with multiple war crimes: RCMP

PrevNext