Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre wants Parliament to be called back to session as Canada deals with President Donald Trump’s warning of 25% tariffs to be imposed February 1.
Poilievre blames Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for putting his own interest ahead of the country and proroguing Parliament ahead of the imminent tariff threat.
The Opposition leader in a statement released Tuesday morning pointed out Parliament would have to convene before pass border control and tariff retaliation bills.
"Canada is facing a critical challenge,” wrote Poilievre, noting Trump’s promised tariffs are a result of the flow of illegal activity at the Canada-US border.
“The Liberal government admits their weak border is a problem. 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.”
"We also need retaliatory tariffs, something that requires urgent Parliamentary consideration.”
"Yet, 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. Liberals are putting themselves and their leadership politics ahead of the country.”
Poilievre accused Liberal leadership race frontrunners Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney of “fighting for power rather than fighting for Canada.”
Trudeau announced his intent to resign on January 6 but refused to call an election — he adjourned Parliament for an unprecedented 11 weeks instead, and chose to stay on as, what he’s been widely called, a “lame duck prime minister.”
Poilievre said in his statement that since Trudeau, who is technically still the prime minister, has the power to ask the Governor General to reconvene Parliament, and he needs to do so immediately.
If that scenario were to play out, the Canadian government could then “pass new border controls, agree on trade retaliation and prepare a plan to rescue Canada’s weak economy.”
"Open Parliament. Take back control. Put Canada first,” wrote Poilievre.