U.S. renews tariff threat as northeastern Ont. federal candidates hit campaign trail
One candidate cautions against making the trade war the defining issue of the election
U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to renew economic pressure on Canada with the announcement of new tariffs later today, just as federal candidates across northeastern Ontario work to mobilize voters ahead of the April 28 election.
Nipissing-Temiskaming Liberal candidate Pauline Rochefort says it's all she's hearing about as she goes knocking on doors for support.
"Everyone is watching or listening to the news," she said. "Everyone wants to make an informed decision."
She says tariffs are directly tied to concerns about the cost of living.
"People are realizing that the future is not going to be easy… It's important that we have a unified country so that we can stand up together."
She, like her Liberal peer in Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt Marc Serré, argues that Mark Carney is best positioned to tackle a trade war with the U.S.
"In my riding, people are telling me: 'Make sure we push back, make sure we put in measures that show the U.S. that tariffs are unjustified,'" he said.
Serré says he's also hearing concerns about Pierre Poilievre not being able to represent the interests of Canadians because of connections between his party and the Trump administration.
The campaign managers of five of the six Conservative candidates in northeastern Ontario declined to speak with the CBC about today's tariffs. The sixth one did not respond to the request.
'Tariffs are not the only issue facing Canadians'
Federal NDP candidate for Sudbury Nadia Verrelli said she's been hearing a lot of concerns about tariffs, but she cautioned against making it a defining issue in this campaign.
"Yes people are worried about tariffs, but they are also worried about affordability, healthcare, housing… tariffs are not the only issue facing Canadians."
She says if she was elected MP she would focus on making sure the North isn't left behind if the trade war ramps up.
"We in the North power this country, with the critical mineral supply chain," she said. "But when it comes to the government pumping money into the economy, it seems only the NDP remembers this."
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to announce a new tariff push later today. It's not yet clear which countries or what sectors his government will be targeting.