Politics Briefing: Ontario premier calls on Ottawa to match U.S. tariffs on Chinese EVs

Hello,

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling for the federal government to immediately bring in tariffs that match or exceed those recently imposed by the U.S. on Chinese imports, including a 100-per-cent tariff on electric vehicles.

The Premier, joining a chorus of industry players making the same plea, says the move is needed to protect EV battery plants, and the thousands of domestic jobs that have been attracted here by the billions in taxpayer subsidies both his government and Ottawa have announced in recent years. Those investments are threatened by what he says is a flood of cheap Chinese EVs.

“Taking every advantage of low labour standards and dirty energy, China is flooding the market with artificially cheap electric vehicles,” Ford says in a statement released today. “Unless we act fast, we risk Ontario and Canadian jobs.”

U.S. President Joe Biden in May unveiled a huge round of tariff increases on the Asian superpower to target what the U.S. government called “China’s unfair trade practices.” Biden made the announcement as he vies with Republican candidate Donald Trump to convince voters of who will be tougher on China amid concerns over Democratic hopes in several swing states with large numbers of manufacturing workers.

Asked about Ford’s request, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that his government had worked closely together with the Ontario Premier to build one of the world’s strongest electric-vehicle ecosystems in Canada.

“We’re watching closely what the Americans and other allies have done,” said Trudeau, noting he has had “significant” discussions with other G7 leaders on the topic at their summit in Italy last week. “I can assure you, we will continue to be there to protect Canadian workers and Canadian industry and we will look very carefully at what steps need to be taken to ensure that the Canadian auto industry and, indeed, Canadian consumers are well supported for years to come.”

Full story here by Queen’s Park Reporter Jeff Gray and Mining Reporter Niall McGee.

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TODAY’S HEADLINES

AFN National Chief says Trudeau should apologize for First Nations child welfare by next spring: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed last week his government plans to apologize in the House of Commons for the ‘past and ongoing harm’ caused by ‘discriminatory conduct’ against First Nations children and families, a step urged by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak.

With Trudeau on the ropes, Liberals contemplate the next election with hope and anxiety: Radio-Canada is reporting that some federal Liberals are saying it is time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to go as the party lags behind the Conservatives in public-opinion polls.

Trudeau calls allegations of abuse in federal contracting unacceptable: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre during Question Period that anyone who took advantage of COVID responses to save Canadian lives should face consequences.

Justice Minister says RCMP has tools needed to deal with threats against politicians: While federal Justice Minister Arif Virani says he wishes things were different, he’s not keen to endorse the recent suggestion of RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme that Ottawa make it easier for police to pursue charges against people who threaten elected officials.

Canada designates Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist entity: Announcing the move, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said it means thousands of senior Iranian government officials are now banned from entering the country and those already inside Canada may be investigated and removed..

Liberal MP criticizes his own party over plans to end open-net salmon farming in B.C.: Wayne Long, the MP for St. John-Rothesay in New Brunswick, said, in a statement, that Ottawa’s decision “confirms our government has sided with well-funded environmental groups and has chosen urban politics, vote pandering and seats over rural and Indigenous communities whose future and livelihood depends on responsible aquaculture growth.”

Health conference moved from Calgary to Bali because of ‘severe delays’ in visa approvals: The International Health Economics Association said it can’t take the risk of holding its annual congress in Canada in 2025 given visa processing times that can take up to eight months, in addition to what the association describes as high costs.

Minister tells how she fled Chilean dictator Pinochet’s regime as a child refugee: Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada carries a photograph of her late grandfather, along with his favourite handkerchief, in her handbag everywhere she goes. Choking back tears, she said the mementos remind her not only to do what is right but “to have the courage of who you are, and not to be scared.”

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon loses another candidate to Rustad’s Conservatives: Business leader and former District of Sechelt councillor Chris Moore announced he will no longer represent BC United in the October provincial election in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding and will instead run as a candidate for Leader John Rustad’s Conservatives.

TODAY’S POLITICAL QUOTES

“I had the opportunity when I was much younger to meet Donald Sutherland and even as a young man who hadn’t had a full exposure to the depth of brilliance of Donald Sutherland, I was deeply, deeply starstruck. He was a man with a strong presence, a brilliance in his craft and truly, truly a great Canadian artist, and he will be deeply missed. My thoughts go out to Kiefer and the entire Sutherland family as well as all Canadians who are no doubt, saddened to learn as I am right now. I didn’t know. Thank you for telling me.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in the Nova Scotia town Westville during a news conference today, on the death of Canadian actor Donald Sutherland.

THIS AND THAT

Commons on a Break: The House of Commons is now adjourned for the summer. Members will return on Sept. 18.

Deputy Prime Minister’s Day: Chrystia Freeland was in Vancouver with private meetings on her schedule and a commitment to tour a school and discuss the government’s investments in the National School Food Program. In the evening, she was scheduled to meet with students to discuss government policy.

Ministers on the Road: In Toronto, Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada made a tourism-policy announcement. Meanwhile three ministers were making announcements on the National School Food Policy. Small Business Minister Rechie Valdez, and Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, were in Hamilton. Also Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault was in Montreal to make an announcement on the policy.

Also, Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier, in Vancouver, and appearing with provincial officials, announced investments in several fisheries, habitat and seafood innovation projects under the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund.

Commons Committee Highlights: Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc appeared before the Procedure and House Affairs committee on documents requested by the commissioner of the public inquiry into foreign interference in federal electoral processes and Caroline Xavier, chief of the Communications Security Establishment was also scheduled to appear on a question of privilege related to cyber attacks targeting MPs. Karen Hogan, auditor general of Canada, appeared before the public-accounts committee on reports by the auditor general.

New diplomatic appointment: Joanne Minns is the new Canadian ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan, replacing Aly Khan Rajani. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced the appointment today.

New director of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada: George Dolhai has been appointed director of the national, independent prosecuting authority that prosecutes federal offences and provide legal advice and assistance to law enforcement. The former federal Crown attorney joined the service when it was created in 2006 and has been its deputy director since 2012. Justice Minister Arif Virani announced the appointment, which is for seven years, today.

PRIME MINISTER’S DAY

In the Nova Scotia town of Westville, Justin Trudeau, accompanied by Housing Minister Sean Fraser and Families Minister Jenna Sudds, met with local students and educators to discuss the National School Food Program and made an announcement on the program. Later, Trudeau visited a local farm to discuss female entrepreneurship and supports given to local school food programs. An interview with Trudeau was also scheduled to air on CBC Radio One’s Maritime Noon with Bob Murphy.

LEADERS

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, in Ottawa attended the Wabano Ignite the Spirit Gala 2024 in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day.

No schedules released for Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

THE DECIBEL

On today’s podcast, David Milstead – a reporter and columnist with The Globe’s Report on Business – discussed why big paydays for executives still happen – and why they matter – even in instances of corporate failure. The Decibel is here.

TRIBUTE

Donald Sutherland: The acclaimed Canadian actor, who had a career spanning more than 50 years of iconic roles, has died, aged 88. There’s an obituary here.

OPINION

Only Justin Trudeau can clear the air in Ottawa

“On Monday, Mr. Trudeau said he is glad that the foreign interference inquiry led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue has now agreed to examine the allegations in the report. But that, too, is a dodge. The inquiry has no power to name names or make any classified information public on its own, or to come to a conclusion about criminal liability. Only one person can legally reveal the names involved, and that is the Prime Minister. He has the power to make classified information public: he did it last year when he told Parliament that there was credible evidence that India was behind the assassination of Canadian citizen in Canada. We’ll say it again: the government should blow away its smoke screens, name names in Parliament, let those facing allegations defend themselves there, and clear the air for Canadians.” – The Globe and Mail Editorial Board.

What’s there to fear about Pierre Poilievre?

“Canada has never had a federal Conservative or Liberal leader who fit the term “career politician” more precisely than Pierre Poilievre. He was consumed by politics as a kid and has done nothing except politics ever since. A well-rounded man, he is not. In his book, Pierre Poilievre: A Political Life, right-side journalist Andrew Lawton traces the Leader’s first political meetings to his early teens, when his mother took him to pro-life events in Calgary. Even before he graduated from high school he was working in the office of Reform Party MP Art Hanger, hauling in $600 a month.” – Lawrence Martin.

Do capital-gains taxes really matter that much to Canada’s economic well-being?

“Canadians are engaged in a lively debate about the proposed increase in capital-gains tax on individuals with more than $250,000 a year in gains. For companies, this increase is on all capital gains, not just those greater than $250,000. Many people voice concerns about the potential impact of a capital-gains tax increase on investment and productivity. But how much does this increase matter?” – Kevin Milligan.

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