Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during Question Period in Ottawa. Source: CPAC

Trudeau tells opposition to put politics aside as Canada deals with tariff threat

Evan Taylor December 5, 2024 7:12 am Last Updated on December 5, 2025 3:05 pm

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging bipartisan action in response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico unless measures are taken to stop the alleged flow of drugs and migrants into the U.S.

Trudeau flew to Florida last week to meet with Trump, discussing the potential economic fallout of the tariffs. On Tuesday, he briefed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and other opposition leaders on the situation, emphasizing the need for a united front to counter Trump’s narrative.

“There is a tradition in Canada that when times are tough, when there’s a moment of crisis or when we’re threatened, Canadians pull together,” Trudeau said during question period on Wednesday. “We step up, we go across partisan lines, and we defend Canada. It seems increasingly clear that is not something Pierre Poilievre is able to do.”

Trudeau’s comments come after Poilievre criticized the government’s handling of border policies, accusing the Liberals of having “lost control of the border.” His remarks appeared to contradict Trudeau’s request to opposition leaders to avoid statements that could amplify Trump’s claims.

Evan Taylor

Evan Taylor is a 2018 graduate of the journalism program at Fanshawe College. He is based in Bridgewater and covers stories across the South Shore and Nova Scotia. Contact Evan at taylore@radioabl.ca.

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