Ottawa, Ontario - The Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, issued the following statement:

“We must put Canada first.”

“For this reason, Common Sense Conservatives condemn the massive, unfair, and unjustified tariffs imposed by President Trump on the already vulnerable Canadian economy. Canada is the closest neighbor to the United States, its greatest ally, and its best friend.

We share the longest unprotected border in the world and fought alongside Americans in both World Wars, Korea, and Afghanistan, where 158 of our brave men and women lost their lives helping the United States take revenge for the September 11 attacks. There is absolutely no justification for such treatment.”

“Liberals must put aside party interests and immediately call Parliament to pass the “Canada First” plan, which will include the following:”

1. Responding with dollar-for-dollar equivalent tariffs targeting American companies precisely to ensure maximum impact on them while minimizing harm to Canadian consumers. This includes imposing tariffs on American products that we can manufacture locally, purchase from other countries, or do without, such as steel and aluminum, where Canadians can produce these essential products themselves.

2. Allocating all tariff revenues to support affected workers and businesses, and not allowing the government to keep any portion of these revenues.

3. Implementing a massive emergency tax cut to bring production and jobs back to Canada by lowering taxes on labor, investment, energy, housing, and local industries. Furthermore, repealing the Liberal carbon tax and the increases in capital gains taxes should be top priorities.

4. Immediately repealing the Liberal anti-resource Bill C-69, and allowing for natural gas projects, pipelines, mines, factories, and expanding ports for foreign markets.

5. Enhancing free trade within Canada by removing barriers between provinces, allowing for a shift from north-south trade to east-west trade, making Canada more self-reliant.

6. Rebuilding our military and regaining control of our borders to restore the confidence of our partners, enhance our sovereignty, protect our people, and put Canada first.

“We will defend our economy, protect our sovereignty, and bring production and jobs back to our country, and we will never back down. We will put Canada first - now and always.”