Carney to hold news conference after failed trade talks with U.S.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to speak to reporters this morning after a last-ditch effort to reach a new trade deal before a midnight tariff deadline failed Friday.

A press conference is scheduled to take place on Parliament Hill at around 11 a.m.

Carney has since suspended talks with the United States and summoned his negotiators back to Ottawa.

The decision meant new 50 per cent tariffs on billions of dollars in Canadian exports to the U.S. took effect at 12:01 a.m., and Carney vowed Canada would retaliate with equal measures of its own.

Carney also said the government will introduce measures to support Canadian workers and businesses in the coming days.

The new U.S. tariffs target $28 billion in Canadian goods ranging from hockey sticks and honey to essential oils and dairy products.

(The Canadian Press)

The premier of Quebec is calling on Canada to help businesses and workers in her province affected by the tariffs imposed by the United States government.

In a statement, Christine Fréchette says she is convening her cabinet this morning to implement measures to help affected businesses and workers.

She says the tariffs are hitting businesses in every region of Quebec.

Fréchette says her priority is to defend Quebec’s interests and protect its economy.

(The Canadian Press)

Federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis says Prime Minister Mark Carney was right to walk away from trade talks with United States President Donald Trump.

He says Carney correctly read the room when he rejected the U.S. government’s offer.

Lewis says Carney would have locked in destructive tariffs and undermined Canada’s ability to regulate big tech companies if he had taken the American government’s offer.

He says Trump is weak and cannot be trusted to abide by any agreement.

(The Canadian Press)

Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz called on leaders to hold fast to the Team Canada approach to tariffs.

Lantz vowed in a social media post to keep working with premiers and the Canadian government to stand up for Canadian interests.

He said he will make sure P.E.I. has a strong voice in the next steps, and he vowed to stand with Island workers, businesses and exporters.

(The Canadian Press)

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt is calling on people in her province to double down on their efforts to buy local and support local producers.

Holt says some businesses have now been hit with the steep new tariffs, which she described as unjustified.

She says the tariffs will hurt families, jobs and her province’s economy.

In a statement, Holt says she stands with Team Canada as the country fights for a fair deal.

(The Canadian Press)