Trade war takes centre stage in Quebec election campaign

The trade dispute between Canada and the United States is a prominent topic in Quebec's provincial election campaign. Major parties have presented differing strategies to safeguard jobs and businesses from the effects of tariffs. On Tuesday, Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) Leader Christine Fréchette presented a series of measures aimed at protecting Quebec's economy from potential U.S. retaliation.

Fréchette urged municipalities, organizations, and consumers to prioritize Quebec-made goods and also proposed changes to the province's public procurement process, barring U.S. companies from bidding on certain contracts.

Liberal Leader Charles Milliard criticized the CAQ's plan as insufficient, stating that many of the ideas presented were similar to his own proposals from the previous week but were less ambitious. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, currently leading in recent polls, defended his party's ability to protect Quebec's interests in the trade dispute, highlighting the PQ's economic expertise.

Plamondon also expressed concerns about Quebec businesses not being adequately consulted before the federal government imposed counter-tariffs.

Business groups largely support Ottawa's retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs but warn that the uncertainty is creating challenges for companies. The trade dispute is expected to remain a significant campaign issue as party leaders prepare for election debates, allowing voters to assess each party's approach to the escalating economic tensions with the United States.