The opposition leader reiterated his party's push for a renewal of the Canada-U.S. Auto Pact.
Government bailouts won’t be a long-term solution to keep Canada’s automotive industry afloat during the trade war with the United States, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says.
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During a visit on Monday to Windsor, the nation’s automotive capital, Poilievre told the Star the industry will only have a future if free trade between Canada and the U.S. resumes.
“Right now, 90 per cent of Canadian-made automobiles go to the United States. That cannot be replaced overnight,” Poilievre said. “The best thing we can do is continue to fight the tariffs and make this the best place to produce automobiles anywhere on Earth.”
Asked about government bailouts for the sector, Poilievre said, “In the long run, we have to find another way.”
“Of course bailouts might get us through a short period, but they are not the solution for the long-term viability of the sector.
“We need to get back to tariff-free trade with our biggest market. That’s the only future we have.”
On Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada was walking away from trade negotiations with the U.S. He told reporters that negotiators “were not prepared to compromise Canada’s sovereignty or to undermine key industries.”
Hours before Poilievre toured mould-maker Caveilier Tool and Manufacturing Ltd. on Monday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Canada with new 50 per cent tariffs on vehicles, auto parts, and steel, and ordered Canadian leaders to “fall in line” or face consequences of “far WORSE” than existing tariffs.
Poilievre called the threat “terrible” and “another blow.”
“It seems the tariffs are getting worse by the day. I know that a lot of people in Windsor will be very anxious about their jobs,” he said.
Speaking with workers at Cavalier Tool, the opposition leader reiterated his party’s push for a renewal of the Canada-U.S. Auto Pact. The legislation signed in 1965 and abolished in 2001 required auto companies to produce one vehicle in Canada for each vehicle sold in Canada, and removed auto tariffs between both countries.
“We need to fight to get back access for our automakers that will help everybody in Windsor.”
