Protecting Against Tarrifs

Canada will not sit idly by while the United States imposes unfair and unjustified tariffs on Canadian goods. Our country has long upheld the principles of free and fair trade, and we will take strong action to defend our economy, our businesses, and our workers against protectionist measures that threaten our industries.

In response to the U.S. tariffs, the governmentt has announced the immediate implementation of 25% retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods. This decisive action is intended to counter the economic harm caused by the unjustified restrictions placed on Canadian exports.

Furthermore, if the United States continues to enforce these tariffs, Canada will escalate its response by imposing additional countermeasures on another $125 billion worth of American products. These tariffs will take effect in 21 days should the U.S. government fail to reverse its course.

While we strongly urge the U.S. administration to reconsider its decision and withdraw these harmful tariffs, Canada remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting our economy and ensuring a fair trade relationship. We will not allow these measures to undermine Canadian jobs, industries, and prosperity.

Ultimately, the consequences of these tariffs will not only hurt Canada but will also significantly impact American consumers and businesses. U.S. citizens will face higher prices on essential goods such as groceries, gasoline, and automobiles, while American workers may see thousands of jobs put at risk. These tariffs threaten to destabilize a highly successful and mutually beneficial trading relationship, one that was reaffirmed through the very trade agreement negotiated under President Trump’s administration.

At a time when both countries should be working together to strengthen economic ties, these unwarranted tariffs create unnecessary hardship on both sides of the border. Canada remains ready to engage in constructive dialogue, but we will not hesitate to take strong, measured action to defend our national interests.

Organized crime groups and gangs are increasingly targeting young people for recruitment. That’s why we are investing in prevention—meeting youth where they are so that these criminal groups don’t reach them first.

Our investment will support community-led crime prevention efforts designed specifically for at-risk and vulnerable youth, including Indigenous and racialized youth, those involved in violence, and those with repeat interactions with the criminal justice system.

We are focusing our funding on initiatives that stop crime before it happens, addressing the root causes that lead young people toward violent criminal activity, such as gun violence and auto theft. 

At the same time, we are taking decisive action to keep dangerous weapons off our streets. The Liberal Government prohibited many makes and models of assault-style firearms. They are semi-automatic firearms with sustained rapid-fire capability, designed for military or tactical use, with large magazine capacities. These weapons can no longer be legally used, sold, or imported in Canada.

We have already taken steps toward the implementation of our buyback program. A successful pilot with businesses has resulted in the collection and destruction of assault-style firearms, and the full rollout of the program will be announced soon. By December 13, we will table amendments establishing the Firearms Reference Table, meaning that every new firearm entering the Canadian market must be classified by the RCMP based on its technical specifications—ensuring no new weapons enter the market before being approved.

I know that tackling the affordability crisis is one of our top priorities. The Liberal government has taken bold action to ensure Canadians can afford a decent place to live, put food on the table, and access essential services like dental care. The Liberals have consistently stepped up to provide real solutions that make life easier for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them.

One of the most significant steps we've taken is our commitment to making housing more affordable. Through the National Housing Strategy, we’ve invested over $75 billion to build and repair homes for Canadians in need. We've launched initiatives like the Rapid Housing Initiative and the Housing Accelerator Fund, working with municipalities to speed up home construction and increase supply. And in 2023, we introduced the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, eliminating the GST on new rental developments to encourage builders to create more affordable rental units. These efforts are making a real difference by putting homeownership and rental stability within reach for more Canadians.

But affordability isn’t just about housing. We know the cost of everyday essentials has risen, and we’ve acted decisively to put money back in the pockets of Canadians. In November 2024, we announced a temporary suspension of the federal sales tax on critical items like children's clothing, toys, diapers, restaurant meals, and even alcoholic beverages. 

We’ve also made historic investments in healthcare. With the launch of the Canadian Dental Care Plan in 2023, we’re ensuring that millions of low- and middle-income Canadians can access the dental services they need without worrying about the cost. This is part of our broader commitment to strengthening the social safety net and making life more affordable for everyone.

At every turn, the Liberals has demonstrated that we are on the side of hard-working Canadians. While Conservatives continue to push for cuts and austerity, we will keep fighting for fairness, affordability, and opportunity for all. We believe in building a Canada where everyone has a fair chance to succeed, and that means continuing to invest in housing, affordability, and social programs that make a difference in people’s lives.

As a Liberal, I know that public transit is essential to keeping our communities connected, making life more affordable, reducing pollution and congestion, and creating good jobs for Canadians in construction and manufacturing. That’s why our government is making historic investments in better public transit for Toronto and Scarborough.

At the end of 2024, it was announced that Toronto will receive nearly $1.2 billion over the next decade through the Baseline stream of the new Canada Public Transit Fund.

A significant portion of this investment—$758 million—will go directly to new subway cars for the TTC’s Line 2, which serves residents from Etobicoke to Scarborough. With a growing population and increased ridership, Scarborough needs reliable, modern transit. These 55 new subway cars will ensure that people can travel efficiently and affordably, whether they’re commuting to work, school, or home to their families.

Since 2015, the Liberal government has invested more than $30 billion to build better public transit in Toronto and across Canada. Today’s investment builds on that commitment—helping people get where they need to go while putting more money back in their pockets. By strengthening transit in both the City of Toronto and Scarborough, we’re making life better for everyone.

Canadians are currently experiencing a severe housing crisis due to an insufficient number of homes being built across the country. The lack of supply has driven up housing costs, making it increasingly difficult for individuals and families to find affordable places to live.

To address this crisis, our new government is committed to doubling home construction in Canada through a series of strategic initiatives. First, we will take decisive action to reduce the taxes, fees, and bureaucratic red tape that slow down the home-building process and increase costs. By streamlining regulations and cutting unnecessary barriers, we will ensure that housing projects can move forward more efficiently and affordably.

Additionally, we will make significant investments to double the amount of affordable community and co-operative housing available across the country. This will provide more Canadians with access to stable, cost-effective housing options and help alleviate the strain on the overall housing market.

Furthermore, we will eliminate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time homebuyers on homes priced under $1 million. This measure will make homeownership more accessible to young families and individuals who are struggling to enter the housing market.

By contrast, when Pierre Poilievre was responsible for housing policy, Canada saw a decline in the number of homes being built each year. His approach to housing would further reduce home construction by imposing new taxes on middle-class apartment buildings, dismantling Housing Accelerator Fund agreements with cities, and cutting crucial investments in affordable housing.

The time for empty slogans and political rhetoric is over. Canadians need real action to solve this crisis. Our government is ready to take the necessary steps to build the homes that Canadians need and ensure a more affordable, sustainable housing market for the future.

Liberals remain committed to fighting climate change while ensuring affordability for Canadians. Recognizing the financial burden of the consumer carbon tax, the Liberal government has removed it, resulting in savings of 17.6 cents per litre at the pump. This decision balances environmental responsibility with economic relief, ensuring that everyday Canadians are not disproportionately affected by rising costs. However, this shift does not mean a weakening of climate commitments; instead, it reflects a strategic approach to emission reductions that prioritizes fairness and efficiency.

Rather than placing the financial burden on consumers, the government will focus on making big industrial polluters pay their fair share. By tightening emissions regulations and enforcing stronger penalties for large-scale polluters, the Liberals aim to drive corporate accountability and encourage greener business practices. Investments in clean energy, innovation, and sustainability initiatives will remain at the core of Canada’s climate strategy. This approach ensures that climate action remains strong while offering much-needed cost relief to Canadians.