WELLINGTON COUNTY – The federal and provincial governments have both introduced retaliatory measures in response to the trade war launched against Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump last month, but some say more needs to be done.
“Parliament needs to be recalled so that we can approve supports for workers that are affected by the tariffs,” said Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong.
“So that we can provide broad based tax relief to Canadians generally because of the broader economic impact of these tariffs.”
Chong criticized outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to prorogue parliament on Jan. 6 and expressed concern about when parliament would be back in session.
“There’s nothing that can be done, nothing, no supports can be provided, until parliament’s sitting, and we’ve been suspended now since the beginning of January,” said Chong.
“So here we are, two months into a crisis, and … parliament’s unable to approve spending and unable to approve broad-based tax relief to counter the effects of these tariffs.
“Parliament’s unlikely to be sitting for another couple months, so we’ll spend four months in suspension. ”
Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield disagreed with Chong, saying reconvening parliament would result in “just talk rather than action” and Canadians should focus on procuring goods locally or from counties other than the U.S.
“We don’t need new legislation. I think we have free trade agreements with all of our G7 partners, as well as many other countries around the world, so we don’t need legislation,” said Longfield.
“The action comes from taking advantage of the trade deals that we’ve already negotiated.”
He added, “Another action that I’ve taken is when I’ve looked at the products that we’re putting tariffs on from the States, I’ve gone to local manufacturers to say, you’re manufacturing refrigeration products, and we’re putting a tariff on refrigeration products coming from the States, so that should give you an opportunity to sell your products in Canada.
“Because anybody buying American refrigeration products right now is going to be paying more for them. So there’s your market opportunity.”
Longfield told the Advertiser MPs should be working with local businesses and communities to help with new opportunities, which does not require legislation.
“I think Parliament reconvening would just slow down any of the processes that we need to be working with when it comes to the actual support to Canadians,” said Longfield.
“There will be a need for some support programs to distribute the money that we collect because any tariffs that we’re collecting are going to be turned back to businesses and to Canadians who are impacted by the tariffs coming from the states.
“So there may be some need there for legislation, because it could have a budget impact …
“But by the by the time that’s happening, Parliament will have already reconvened … It’s going to be happening in a matter of a couple of weeks.”
Perth-Wellington MP John Nater agrees that any money collected from tariffs should be returned to those most affected.
“Revenues that Canada receives from counter-tariffs should not go into government coffers,” said Nater.
“Instead, they should provide relief for those most impacted, whether through tax relief or targeted relief to workers hit hardest by the trade war.”
Despite their differences, all three local MPs agree Canada should be levelling retaliatory tariffs.
“When illegal and unjustified tariffs are introduced, we must retaliate. We must do so in a way that maximizes the impact on the United States and to the extent possible, minimizes the cost to Canadians,” said Nater.
“As Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has noted, this should be done by targeting American goods in the following order: goods we can make ourselves, goods we don’t need and goods we can get from elsewhere.”
Chong said, “We support those retaliatory tariffs. We believe that we’ve got to stand up dollar for dollar in defense of Canadian jobs.”
Longfield told the Advertiser retaliatory tariffs are “something you have to do in order to emphasize that we do rely on each other.”
He added, “Putting the same dollar-for-dollar tariffs on American products really emphasizes the need for us to get along in a trading relationship – and if not, everybody suffers.”
Asked what local people can do to lessen the impact of tariffs, the answer was unanimous: buy local.
“I have always tried to promote ‘buy local’ in our communities. Now it feels like a patriotic duty for all of us to do what we can to buy local when we shop for groceries, drinks and consumer products,” said Nater.
“Local businesses are the first to sponsor community events or local sports teams. Now it’s our turn to support them.”
Longfield agreed and said “it’s wonderful to see people reacting the way they have by buying Canadian products.”
Chong said he is confident “Canadians will get through this difficult period.”
“We’re tough as Canadians. We’ve been through difficult moments before,” he said.
“You know, we, we’ve forged a country on the north half of this continent through war time and peace time [and] through great adversity.
“And so I’m confident we’ll get through this difficult period by sticking together and by working together as Canadians across the country.”
