QUESTION PERIOD — Global Affairs
Canada-United States Relations
November 27, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
In the wake of the Donald Trump tariff threats, it’s apparent that we will need to stand together as Canadians in the face of the great economic hardship this country is being threatened with. To that end, I wanted to point out that many senators have their own relationships with their American counterparts, whether those are members of the House of Representatives, senators of the U.S. Senate or state governors. Does the government have a strategy in place to leverage the power of the Senate of Canada and individual senators or to include senators in any talks about how we present a “Team Canada” united front?
Thank you for your question. The relationships that individual senators may have are important tools in advancing our shared interests with our American counterparts.
The president-elect has not been sworn in, and Canada is important. As you suggested in the beginning of your question, it’s the position of the government that we as Canadians have to stand together. There has been a bit of freewheeling in the press from some premiers, who assume that it would be better if they pursued their own agendas south of the border. I don’t think that is a responsible way, and I’m hoping that, in fact, the meeting today will give rise to a shared commitment to speak with one voice as we confront the real challenges that we may face when the new administration comes into power.
My question is again to the Government Representative. Perhaps not all parties in the Senate would feel the same way, but many of us feel seized with the fact that we could bring something to this conversation that is going to be necessary and important as Canada positions itself for the Trump government when it is sworn in. Could you offer some commitment to us that the government will give consideration to the role of the Senate as we triangulate the future economic threats ahead of us?
In full transparency, I cannot make a commitment as to what the government may choose to do in the pursuit of its foreign relations with the United States. However, I will certainly communicate to the government, which has enormous respect for this chamber and for those who serve in this chamber, that many of us would be willing to lend a hand if so asked.
