Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reconvene Parliament immediately, citing a national “emergency.”
“Liberals have shut Parliament in the middle of this crisis. Canada has never been so weak, and things have never been so out of control,” said Poilievre. “Liberals are putting themselves and their leadership politics ahead of the country. Freeland and Carney are fighting for power rather than fighting for Canada.”
The Conservatives are urging Trudeau to reopen Parliament so that new border controls can be passed, along with trade retaliation agreements and a plan to revive Canada’s economy.
While Poilievre has previously called for retaliatory tariffs, he said he’d rather collaborate with the new U.S. administration.
Trudeau said that everything is on the table, including retaliatory measures.
In his Tuesday release, Poilievre said retaliatory measures were necessary, adding that they would require Parliamentary consideration.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said that 100% of the blame for Canada’s situation with the looming tariffs should be put on Trudeau. Despite this, she said that the two countries’ 100-year relationship shouldn’t be jeopardized over a trade war and that collaboration was still possible.
Despite not following through with his proposed tariffs the day he was sworn into office, U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to imposing tariffs eventually.
The tariffs were initially proposed on Canadian imports until the country secured its border against illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
The Liberals subsequently announced a $1.3 billion border security plan.
“Our American counterparts say they want to stop the illegal flow of drugs and other criminal activity at our border. The Liberals admit their weak border is a problem,” said Poilievre. “That is why they announced a multibillion-dollar border plan—a plan they cannot fund because they shut down Parliament, preventing MPs and Senators from authorizing the funds.”
Trudeau announced that his resignation would be official once the Liberal Party of Canada’s leadership race concluded on Mar. 9.
Governor General Mary Simon agreed to prorogue Parliament until Mar. 24, the latest date the government could remain suspended before it runs out of money without a supply bill being passed. Prorogation killed various bills.
Poilievre urged the Governor General to tell Trudeau to recall Parliament for a non-confidence vote over a month ago.
According to House of Commons procedure, recalling the House typically starts with a formal request to the Speaker. If the Speaker determines that reconvening is in the public interest, a resumption date is set, and members are provided with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to travel to Ottawa.
The Speaker of the House, Greg Fergus, is a Liberal MP; however, he is supposed to act impartially and uphold non-partisan principles in his role.
“The Prime Minister has the power to ask the Governor General to cut short prorogation and get our Parliament working,” concluded Poilievre. “Open Parliament. Take back control. Put Canada First.”
