OTTAWA -- Just days after Prime Minister Mark Carney recalled Canadian negotiators from Washington and walked away from a trade deal with the U.S., federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for Carney to reconvene Parliament over the decision.
“We must put the national interest first,” wrote Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the official opposition, in a letter to the prime minister Sunday evening.
“The failure to secure a durable trade agreement, together with escalating tariffs, now threatens deeper economic pain on top of a decade of rising costs and zero economic growth in the Canadian economy,” the letter said.
Poilievre cites burning questions about Canada-U.S. relations and the fallout of failed talks as reasons for his call to bring parliamentarians back to Ottawa.
“Those questions can no longer wait. The Official Opposition has a duty to ask questions and hold the government to account,” wrote Poilievre.
Late Friday night, Carney walked away from trade talks with Washington citing unfair last-minute demands.
New 50 per cent tariffs came into effect at midnight Saturday, after a deal couldn’t be reached, affecting $28 billion worth of Canadian goods.
Prime Minister Carney has pledged dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs that will come into effect on Sept. 8.
“We cannot accept what they’ve offered, and we will not give what they’ve asked,” said the prime minister in a press conference Saturday.
Poilievre argues that parliament should have the opportunity to confront three key issues.
The first, “transparency on the abandoned deal,” he says.
Conservatives have called on the government to release the full deal that was presented to Canadian negotiators by the American team.
“Canadians must see it to judge what options are on the table,” wrote Poilievre.
The second, the “true cost” to Canadians.
Poilievre argues the retaliatory tariffs Canada plans to impose will put further economic pressure on Canadians who are already hurting.
And the third, the impact on Canadian jobs and industry.
“How will you protect the steel, aluminum, lumber and auto jobs threatened by tariffs?,” Poilievre asks in the letter.
The leader of the official opposition also points to the Gordie Howe bridge deal as a reason to call for more transparency.
“Parliament’s duty is to hold government accountable. That job has never been more pressing,” said Poilievre in the letter.
“In a crisis that defines the future of our people and our country, Conservatives are ready to return to Parliament, to act with the urgency our people demand, and to put Canada first.”
