Federal opposition parties are calling for the immediate recall of Parliament following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily delay tariffs on Canadian imports. Both the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) insist that legislative action is urgently needed to address the situation before the March 4 deadline.
On Monday, Trump agreed to pause the tariffs for 30 days after two phone calls with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during which Canada outlined its plan to strengthen border security and combat fentanyl trafficking. However, many elements of the government’s proposed measures require legislative approval, which cannot proceed while Parliament remains prorogued.
Trudeau suspended Parliament on January 6, with plans to resume sitting on March 24, following the Liberal Party’s leadership race on March 9. The opposition argues that the delay leaves Canada vulnerable to economic uncertainty, as the tariff threat remains unresolved.
“The government cannot afford to wait until late March to act on such a serious issue,” said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. “Canadian businesses and workers need immediate action, not political delays.”
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh echoed these concerns, calling for Parliament to reconvene within the next month to pass necessary legislative changes and ensure that Canada’s commitments to border security and anti-fentanyl measures are implemented before Trump’s March 4 deadline.
“Canadians deserve stability and reassurance,” Singh stated. “The Liberals must put aside their leadership race and recall Parliament to protect our economy.”
The government has yet to confirm whether it will heed the opposition’s calls for an early recall of Parliament. With the fate of Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. hanging in the balance, political pressure is mounting for swift legislative action.