A motion from the Bloc Québécois condemning new U.S. tariffs on Canadian products containing steel, aluminum or copper. The Bloc accused the Liberal government of not doing enough to fight the tariffs and protect jobs. The Liberals defended their response and efforts to diversify trade. The Conservatives criticized the government's handling of the file, saying they were all talk but haven't gotten results.
“I want the government to spend more money now to offset effects of US tariffs on Canadian manufacturing companies and workers. I don't like the government's slow response and focus on loans instead of direct support. I think the US tariffs violate free trade principles and hurt our economy.”
“The government was unprepared. They didn't know about the problem at first. They know now but aren't doing enough. The Prime Minister says they're aware now, but there's still no good solution. Businesses have too much debt already. Loans won't help them. They won't last until July with just loans. We need to do something else. I want the government to change the program. They say they're open to adjusting it. I want them to do that.”
“I don't want to build pipelines. Building pipelines won't make Trump lift his tariffs. I want the government to spend money on helping businesses instead of building pipelines. Businesses are suffering because of the tariffs. We need to help them first. That is more important than building pipelines.”
“I want to make the government look bad for not solving the tariff crisis. The government promised to end the tariff war but they didn't do it. They keep moving the deadline. We have good ideas but the government won't listen to us. They should do what we say.”
“I don't think the government is doing enough to help businesses with the tariff crisis. The government made a false promise to fix it. The U.S. President doesn't want to fix it. The government needs to give businesses money now to help them keep their workers. The government's plans take too long. We need to give businesses a wage subsidy now to help them survive.”
“I'm frustrated. I think people voted for this government because it made big promises. It promised to fix problems with tariffs and the U.S. President. But the problems aren't fixed. They're worse. The government isn't focusing on this. It's not doing what it promised. People are impatient and unhappy. I think the government should be doing more.”
“I want the Prime Minister to spend more time in the House. I'm frustrated he didn't know about a US tariff change. He promised to fix it but didn't. Now the government announced loans, but that's not enough. Quebec's steel industry is suffering. The government should pay more attention to Quebec, not just Ontario. I want the government to control our steel market and protect it from Chinese dumping. They also need to clarify the rail transportation subsidy. I'm not impressed with this government.”
“I don't like that he changed the topic. I want to keep talking about my riding's jobs. I want the government to give contracts to my preferred companies. Let's not send money abroad.”
“I don't agree with you. I want Quebec to do its own energy transition. Our strength is greener steel. The government should support that instead of oil.”
“I like my friend's speech. Quebec's economy needs small businesses. Especially ones that export to America. The new tariffs will hurt them. I want to know why he thinks the government hasn't done enough.”
“The government took in $10 billion from tariffs but only gave businesses back $5.7 billion. Why won't they listen to the industry and give them more? Why only loans? Why didn't the economic update even mention this crisis?”
“I'm glad the government might spend more money later. We want them to. But on yesterday's announcement, I'm really here to gripe that the loan program isn't big enough yet. Even smaller businesses need these subsidized loans. Expand the program so taxpayers cover more companies. Also cover the suppliers of exporters. The government should spend more on all of them.”
“The government should admit it made a promise it couldn't keep. They said tariffs would end by June, July, September, who knows when. The Prime Minister keeps making promises he can't deliver.”
“Our businesses are suffering. The government isn't doing enough. We should spend more to help them. My party has a plan. Does my colleague agree with my party's plan?”
“I'm trying to score points off the Prime Minister by bringing up a quote where he sounds dismissive. I want people to think the Prime Minister doesn't care about tariffs because it'll make him look bad.”
“You say the government has failed to fix tariffs. But you won't back our temporary measures to protect jobs. You want an agreement with the U.S. instead. But there is no agreement yet. So you should support our measures until there is one.”
“I'm going to talk for a very long time. I will say many words about what the government should do. None of it matters. I am only trying to make people feel good.”
“I want to say the Bloc supports trade diversification, just like everyone else. But I don't want anyone getting too excited about small trade deals with tiny countries. Doubling a small number is still small. And I don't like the word 'dependence' for our trade with the U.S. - we're neighbors, so of course our economies are integrated. Let's not fight that.”
“I won't blame the Prime Minister for the U.S. President's behavior. We're all victims. The government should recognize the challenge and maybe act. Speaking against empires after making a deal with China is strange. This could have been handled differently.”
