Québec solidaire is asking Prime Minister François Legault to use the threat of Hydro-Québec tariffs as negotiating leverage with American President-elect Donald Trump.
• Also read: Canadian surcharge on oranges: what real impact on the price of juice?
• Also read: “We don’t need Canada,” proclaims Donald Trump
• Also read: Pierre Poilievre invites Elon Musk to open businesses in Canada
According to the second opposition group in the National Assembly, this would be one of the government’s “greatest assets” to face the threat of 25% tariffs.
“Nearly three-quarters of Hydro-Québec’s exports are destined for the United States,” said the party’s co-spokesperson, Ruba Ghazal, in a press release. Quebec must stand up to Trump. It’s not through taxes on orange juice that he’s going to take us seriously.”
“A united government would not hesitate to put an end to the tariff giveaways that states like New York benefit from, in order to protect the economy and jobs here. It will be up to Donald Trump to explain to his voters why it costs them more to heat in winter than before.”
According to Québec solidaire, Ottawa’s lack of leadership on this issue is a reason to make Quebec independent.
“Already in 2018, the Trudeau government sacrificed part of the Canadian dairy industry – more than half of which is in Quebec – to save Ontario car manufacturers,” says Ms. Ghazal. I don’t want to see history repeat itself.”
“An independent Quebec could put its interests at the heart of this commercial standoff, with hydroelectricity as the main negotiating lever, and ensure that Quebec’s jobs and economy are protected,” she continues.
For his part, Prime Minister François Legault will travel to Ottawa on Wednesday for an in-person meeting of the Council of the Federation with the other provincial premiers.
He will also go to Washington on February 12 with Ontario Premier Doug Ford to defend the country’s interests in the face of the threat of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
