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Small Business

During question period on small business, the Bloc Québécois said new U.S. tariffs announced on April 6 are hitting Quebec’s small and medium-sized businesses hard, that the government’s economic update offered no protection against these tariffs, and that Quebec had lost 300 jobs; the member asked the government to help pay workers’ wages to keep those jobs. The parliamentary secretary to the finance minister, a Liberal, agreed the situation is serious, criticized the U.S. for arbitrarily changing trade rules, and said an announcement of support for businesses would be coming soon.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Mario Beaulieu

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“New American tariffs hurt small businesses in Quebec. The government's economic plan does nothing to protect them, and Quebec just lost 300 jobs. I want the government to help pay workers' wages to save these jobs.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, the new U.S. tariffs announced on April 6 specifically target Quebec’s SMEs. The economic update should have included protection for Quebec against these tariffs, but it is completely absent from the document. The economic update needs an update, and it needs it now. Quebec lost 300 jobs this week. How many more Quebeckers will face the same fate before the government finally introduces a wage subsidy?

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Carlos Leitão

Liberal
“The United States keeps changing the trade rules unfairly. We will announce help for our businesses very soon.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, yes, the situation is serious. Our neighbours continue to change the rules of the game arbitrarily. Although they are still our neighbours, they are completely unreliable. First, it is important to identify the source of the problem. It stems from our neighbours’ completely senseless actions. We are putting the necessary programs in place to help our businesses get through this very difficult time. Announcements are coming soon. We need to remain flexible in how we provide support. We will be making announcements on this very soon.

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