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Small Business

Question period touched on small businesses affected by trade disputes with the United States. Yves-François Blanchet of the Bloc Québécois said the tariff issue was supposed to be resolved by June 2025 and has not been, and asked the government to provide wage subsidies now so small businesses in Quebec can keep their workers and skills while negotiations continue. Mélanie Joly, the Liberal minister, replied that the government is supporting small businesses in Quebec and across Canada, pointing to $1.5 billion in recent funding for the steel, aluminum, and copper sectors, and said the government is working to reach a good trade deal with the United States.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Yves-François Blanchet

Bloc Québécois
“Trade talks with the United States will take time. I want the government to give small businesses wage subsidies now so they can keep their workers and skills in Quebec.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we were promised that the issue of tariffs and trade would be fixed in June 2025. Clearly, that did not work out. It is not the Prime Minister’s fault. It is Donald Trump’s fault. One year of dithering later, here we are again, and now the Prime Minister wants a 16-year agreement. I agree, that is fine with me, but it will certainly take a little longer than two weeks. In the meantime, will the government help SMEs with a wage subsidy that would help retain expertise and jobs in Quebec?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“We are supporting small businesses across Canada and in Quebec. We recently gave $1.5 billion to steel, aluminum, and copper companies. We are also working to get a good trade deal with the United States.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 32 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 33 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that we are there for our businesses, especially our SMEs. We are there for businesses in Quebec and across Canada. In fact, just one month ago, we announced some new funding: $1.5 billion for the steel, aluminum and copper sectors. I have been in contact with a number of stakeholders in Quebec and across Canada. They are very grateful for our help. In the meantime, while the Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade is in Washington, we will be there, not just for any agreement, but for a good agreement for Canadians.

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