Canada’s New Democrats have weighed in on Prime Minister Carney’s decision to say no to the Unites States in the latest round of trade talks.
The NDP aligns with where most Canadians are presently at with regard to standing up to the economic trade war pressures brought on this country by the United States.
“The Prime Minister was right to walk away from the negotiating table last night. I believe Canadians are united in this crucial moment, on this crucial point: no deal is better than a bad deal,” said NDP Leader Avi Lewis in a statement on August 22.
“Accepting a deal that would lock in pointless, destructive tariffs and undermine our ability to regulate big tech would have been disastrous for our workers, industries and sovereignty. PM Carney read the room by rejecting the Americans’ offer.” said Lewis.
Lewis says that NDP Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew “got it exactly right”, saying that “the President is weak and cannot be trusted to abide by an agreement”.
Workers and industries
Lewis asks Canadians to stand firm, but is concerned about what happens next. “We are not out of this yet.”
Lewis said on Saturday that New Democrats will be “a voice for swift and substantial aid to affected workers and industries”.
“What brings us together and makes us strong is how we take care of each other in hard times. That’s the Canada the NDP will fight for in this crisis moment and those to come,” said Lewis.
Counter-tariffs
The economy will get tougher to navigate starting immediately. Businesses will claim uncertainty and consumers will hold onto their dollars as best they can.
Counter-tarriffs by Canada against the United States will kick-in September 8, said Prime Minister Carney in a long address to media and Canadians yesterday.
Pivoting
Ever since the COVID pandemic, the word ‘pivot’ has become well known and much used by the business community and decision-makers in general.
The NDP are calling this a moment to “rapidly transition to an economy that is more independent, that prioritizes housing, health, climate and the cost of living”.
Upcoming by-elections
The NDP has a candidate in each of the three federal by-elections coming up on August 31.
Currently there are five NDP MPs in the House of Commons. Lewis himself does not have a seat but is focussing on rebuilding the party toward the next federal election.