PCs Push for Emergency Debate, Economic Response Plan as Trump Tariffs Loom
Manitoba must take action to support workers and industry: Ewasko
WINNIPEG — The Official Opposition is urging immediate action from Premier Wab Kinew and his NDP government to safeguard jobs and shield Manitoba’s economy from the shock of impending tariffs on trade with the United States.
“President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear to Canada that new U.S. tariffs cannot be avoided, yet the Kinew government’s failure to plan for this looming threat has left Manitobans worried and exposed to the serious impacts these new costs would have on their families and our economy,” said Wayne Ewasko, Leader of the Official Opposition.
“With thousands of jobs on the line and less than 50 days until these new tariffs may be imposed, we need a Team Manitoba approach that shows Manitobans that their elected officials are working together to address this matter of urgent public importance.”
The Progressive Conservative caucus on Monday called for an emergency debate in the Legislature, and for the creation of an all-party committee to develop an economic response plan should any new tariffs come into effect after President-elect Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.
The bipartisan committee would work to ensure that a provincial plan is in place to support workers and industries most at risk from new tariffs. It would also assist the federal government with strengthening Manitoba’s border to address U.S. concerns regarding illegal border crossings and drug trafficking.
As well, the committee would have an important mandate to establish a Manitoba trade office in Washington, advance interprovincial trade reform, and promote free trade to bring more Manitoba-made goods and services to new markets.
“These proposed new tariffs will cause runaway inflation and job losses in both Manitoba and the United States, something we cannot afford to let happen,” said Midland MLA Lauren Stone, PC Critic for Finance. “We need a Team Manitoba approach that leverages the relationships that legislators on both sides of the aisle have across the border, to ensure that a win-win agreement can be negotiated with the incoming Trump administration.”
“Manitobans can’t predict the United States’ next steps, but their elected officials can show them that we take the challenges ahead seriously,” said Ewasko.
“With Manitoba families already struggling under NDP tax increases, soaring grocery bills, and rising unemployment, they need strong assurances that we are acting now, not waiting until the day after the damage has already begun.”
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