Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Frechette makes a daycare announcement during an election campaign stop in Lorraine, Que., on Saturday.Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press
The Canada-U.S. trade war is looming large over Quebec’s election campaign, as party leaders clash over how to protect the province from the economic fallout.
Premier Christine Fréchette warned Monday that Canadian counter-tariffs set to take effect at midnight could provoke another response from the Trump administration, while Liberal Leader Charles Milliard argued the trade dispute should be used as a springboard to reshape Quebec’s economy.
“Are the Americans going to respond to these counter-tariffs? I have to say I wouldn’t be surprised,” Fréchette told reporters in Mirabel. “That could trigger another cycle, so we’ll have to see.”
The Coalition avenir Québec leader intended to temporarily step away from the campaign Monday evening to chair a virtual cabinet meeting at 6 p.m. to make a series of decisions related to the new federal tariff measures.
Fréchette said she remains premier during the campaign and has a responsibility to act when important issues arise. “I won’t apologize for governing when it’s to protect our businesses, our economy and our workers,” she said.
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The Quebec government had raised concerns that some of Ottawa’s retaliatory measures could hurt Quebec businesses.
On Monday, Fréchette said Ottawa took Quebec’s requests into consideration and adjusted its response, adding that there was “always room for improvement.”
Quebec previously said it obtained federal tariff relief for affected businesses, and also got new counter-tariffs on some U.S. products that Quebec companies can supply to the rest of Canada, including copper wire and dairy products.
John Fragos, press secretary for federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, said Quebec was among those consulted on changes to Canada’s counter-tariff product list announced two weeks ago.
“The changes … were determined in part based on discussions with and recommendations by the Quebec government and key economic and sectoral players in Quebec,” Fragos said.
He said Ottawa also extended its existing tariff-remission program to cover newly tariffed products. “These changes maintain Canada’s dollar-for-dollar counter measures, promote domestic production, and level the playing field,” Fragos said.
Fréchette invited opposition party leaders to meet with her after the cabinet meeting to brief them on the provincial government’s response.
Milliard agreed to attend, but made clear Monday that he was doing so reluctantly. “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t want to go at all, but I’m going to go in the public interest,” he told reporters in Laval.
Milliard described Monday’s cabinet meeting as a “play” and accused Fréchette of failing to prepare Quebec businesses for the trade war.
The Liberal leader also released a video calling the U.S. tariffs an “economic aggression” and arguing Quebec should respond by diversifying its markets, cutting red tape and reducing government regulation.
“A crisis like the one we’re experiencing isn’t just an ordeal to overcome; it has to be a starting point toward a better future,” Milliard said.
Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime declined Fréchette’s invitation, accusing her of using the trade dispute as a campaign diversion.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon agreed to attend, though he called on Fréchette to provide opposition parties with details and documents ahead of the meeting. Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal also agreed to attend.