QP PLAN TO COUNTER TARIFFS - IMPLEMENT
PREM: PLAN TO COUNTER TARIFFS - IMPLEMENT
CLAUDIA CHENDER: Speaker, Nova Scotians have their eyes glued to the U.S. news. They're worried for their paycheques, for their futures, and for their jobs. The Premier says we're ready with a plan for the potentially debilitating tariffs that will come in just a few weeks, but we have heard no details - not here, not with Nova Scotians, and not in this budget. Why hasn't the Premier . . .
THE SPEAKER « » : Order. Stop the clock. This is the first session that we've sat other than Valentine's Day, but we'll just start it right now. I was firm about it last sitting. I'll be firm about it this sitting. You're to speak to me, through me, to the minister, Premier, or to anyone else. I ask that you speak through me instead of looking at government, if you will. (Interruption)
Order. The rule of the House is whomever is speaking speaks to the Speaker, not the person who's eventually going to answer the question. That's always been the rule, so your clock is stopped. We'll start it back up. (Interruption)
I did not recognize you. I've spent the last 30 seconds with you watching across the room, so I ask that you speak . . . (interruption). We can make this more difficult. I ask that you speak through the Chair.
The Leader of the Official Opposition.
CLAUDIA CHENDER: I have no idea . . .
THE SPEAKER « » : No, we stopped the clock.
CLAUDIA CHENDER: This is insane. (Interruption)
THE SPEAKER « » : You know where you left off. Your microphone's on, so I did recognize you.
CLAUDIA CHENDER: Why hasn't the Premier put forward a plan for Nova Scotians?
THE PREMIER « » : Obviously, the threat of tariffs is of concern to Nova Scotians, to Canadians, and now across the whole world as the President enacts his policy or talks about his policy. We're all concerned about it. We've had a number of meetings as premiers. I've met with a number of companies and Chambers of Commerce in Nova Scotia to talk about what a potential response could be. The budget today tabled a $200 million contingency. We're still hopeful as a country that the tariffs will not be put in place, and we'll work toward that end for now, Speaker.
CLAUDIA CHENDER: Last I checked, there was no "I" in team, and yet what I hear from the Premier is "I, I, I, I have spoken to." Newfoundland and Labrador has a round table. It includes labour. It includes Unifor, the largest private-sector labour union, the representatives of the everyday people who are the most in fear for their jobs. Why don't we, here in Nova Scotia, have a table of industry leaders, labour, Mi'kmaq, and elected representatives guiding this important work?
THE PREMIER « » : The Leader of the Official Opposition claims we need to be united, but the only thing the Leader of the Official Opposition will do is fearmonger on this topic.
As a province - as a team - we met with 21 Chambers, participated in meetings with myself and other ministers and colleagues. We had 170 surveys back from individual companies, with the impact about what the response may be. We will continue to work with stakeholders. We have been doing that for months on end; we will continue to do that. I personally will continue to advocate for Nova Scotians, for Canadians, in Washington with decision‑makers there about the importance of the relationship and how the tariffs are not necessary. I think that's the main priority right now.
CLAUDIA CHENDER: Nova Scotia is a unique province. We have our own economy and our own specific challenges. We can't rely on other premiers or the federal government - as we have heard over and over - to have our best interest in informing this approach. We need to work with other provinces. We need to be making phone calls. We need a Team Nova Scotia approach. Why does this Premier refuse to address Nova Scotians directly or to convene them? Is this another Father Knows Best scenario, when what we really need is a leader who can listen?
THE PREMIER « » : We're listening. We have met with 21 Chambers of Commerce. We're listening. We have been talking to over 170 companies - my staff, department staff, various departments' staff. We are listening, and we are working with Nova Scotians. I'll tell you what, Speaker. Nova Scotians know that this government listens, and that's the reason that they returned with the biggest majority in the history of this province.