Business leaders ask Trudeau to recall Parliament to deal with U.S. trade issues

financialpost.com:

More than 100 Canadian business leaders have signed a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him to recall Parliament to deal with Canada’s trade issues with the United States.

“We are in a period of turmoil and uncertainty,” said the letter released on Tuesday and signed by 115 business leaders across a variety of industries. “We need a strong, empowered, legitimate, and robust government, supported by a sitting and functioning Parliament, to deal with these very grave, complex and delicate matters.”

Parliament has been prorogued since Trudeau announced he would step down as prime minister in January. It is scheduled to re-open on March 24, following the selection of a new Liberal Party leader on March 9.

The letter outlines serious economic consequences posed by the 25-per-cent tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. On Feb. 1, Trump signed an executive order to impose a 25 per-cent tariff on all Canadian goods and a 10 per-cent tariff on Canadian energy. In response, Trudeau promised 25 per-cent retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods. A 30-day pause on the tariffs was secured on Feb. 3, after Trudeau promised to direct more resources to the Canada-U.S. border.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have both requested Parliament be recalled to pass legislation pertaining to Canada’s border and a potential bailout package that may be needed for businesses and workers, should a trade war take place. On Tuesday, the business leaders added to that chorus.

“If the U.S. tariffs are (again) imposed, the people of Canada will suffer dire economic and other consequences,” the letter said. “The Canadian Parliament is the law-making authority for our country and the