Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is putting her provincial election campaign on hold to convene a special cabinet meeting Monday, one day before Canada’s latest retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods are set to take effect.
Fréchette’s office confirmed that the meeting will be held virtually at 6 p.m. Monday. The agenda has not been publicly disclosed, but the meeting comes as Quebec prepares for the economic effects of escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
Canada’s new counter-tariffs will range from 15% to 50% and will apply to a range of U.S. products, including dairy, steel, copper and certain beauty products. The measures are Ottawa’s response to 50% U.S. tariffs on about C$28 billion worth of Canadian goods.
The timing of the cabinet meeting has attracted criticism from Quebec’s political opposition, particularly because the province is currently in the middle of an election campaign. Opponents have accused Fréchette and the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) of using the tariff dispute for political advantage.
Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal acknowledged that Fréchette remains premier despite the campaign but called on her to explain what measures her government plans to take to protect workers affected by the trade conflict.
The Quebec government is also facing pressure to explain how the province will respond if tariffs begin affecting businesses, workers, consumers and key industries. The province has significant economic ties with the United States, making the dispute a major concern for exporters and manufacturers.
Fréchette has previously criticized the federal government’s tariff response as problematic and has advocated for a more strategic approach to protecting Quebec’s economic interests.
The special meeting underscores the growing pressure on Quebec’s government to balance provincial economic concerns, the ongoing election campaign and the escalating Canada-U.S. trade dispute.
With retaliatory tariffs due to take effect shortly afterward, the cabinet meeting could provide an indication of how Quebec intends to support businesses and workers facing the consequences of the latest trade measures.
Swifteradio.com
