NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called for an emergency Parliament session on Thursday to address looming US tariffs, while maintaining his party’s plan to vote down the minority government in March.
“We need to let these workers know, ‘we got your back,'” Singh said in Sault Ste. Marie, where he met with union leaders. He urged Parliament’s return to “put in place those protections” for workers facing Trump’s planned tariffs.
His demand came hours before Trump announced from the Oval Office that he would impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, with a possible exemption for oil. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also called for Parliament’s early return.
Parliament remains suspended until March 24 following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s request to the Governor General, as the Liberal Party prepares to choose its new leader on March 9.
Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon pledged that “the Government of Canada will retaliate, the Government of Canada will protect workers throughout this process.” Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould said she would “absolutely” support reconvening Parliament if needed, while a spokeswoman for Chrystia Freeland said the Toronto MP stands “ready to work with Parliament and all political parties to fight Donald Trump.”
Singh emphasized that while his position on a non-confidence vote hasn’t changed, the two-month wait for Parliament’s return leaves workers vulnerable. “If there’s any legislation required to actually put in place supports for workers, let’s get that done,” he said.
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