Tariff Economic Response Plan - QP

CLAUDIA CHENDER: Nova Scotians are worried about the Trump tariffs. They want to know that their government has a plan to help them through tough financial times. That plan seems to be a $200 million contingency fund. Yesterday, when we asked how that number was arrived at, the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board said it was thought to be fair. Today, the Premier couldn't say how relief would be determined. We've had over a month, and our economy is at stake. What is the plan for foresters, mill workers, manufacturers, and communities, and who's going to make it?

THE PREMIER « » : Obviously, President Trump's illegal tariffs - the Trump tax - could have a devastating impact on Canadians, for sure. In Nova Scotia, we have a $200 million contingency in our budget. I'll tell you what, Speaker: If that turns out to be not enough, we'll put more there. We'll do whatever we can to support Nova Scotians.

This is also a time that we need to realize that for the long term, we need to make some adjustments. That's why it's really important that we establish free trade within Canada again. Nova Scotia is leading the way. That's why we need to address procurement. It's also why we need to develop our natural resources here in Nova Scotia.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: I asked about a plan for workers and who is at the table. I didn't get an answer. This afternoon, hundreds of Nova Scotians gathered to make their voices heard. They are worried about tariffs, and they are unhappy with the lack of answers and the overreach coming from this government, including the focus on evading accountability rather than preparing for economic pain.

While the government is full of praise for their response, Nova Scotians are losing trust in their ability to bring them together now when it's most needed. Are the hundreds of self-identified special interest groups outside also going to be thought of in our provincial response, or only the people who are on board with this government's surprise agenda?

THE PREMIER « » : This is a time for Canadians to unite, and Canadians coast to coast to coast are getting behind their governments. There are a few who are trying to not get behind their government, mostly in this Chamber, but the national news is showing that Nova Scotia is leading the way. We will continue to.

I'm on a committee with the Prime Minister and every single Premier in the country talking about the response. We're talking to manufacturers. We're talking to Chambers of Commerce. We will work with any Nova Scotian. Our government will be there to support Nova Scotians through this process. We also need to recognize that we need to develop our natural resources. Right now, 100 per cent of our natural gas in this province comes through the United States. Why is that member okay with all our natural gas coming from the United States and not standing up for Nova Scotians?

CLAUDIA CHENDER: Government is here to express the will of the people and not the other way around. What Nova Scotians are concerned about is the cost of housing and utilities and groceries, and yet all this Premier can talk about - not during the election but after - is fracking.

Now is the time for unity. We have seen the people of this province pull together to support local producers and local small businesses because that is who we are. We come together as one province, and we take care of each other when times are hard. We all have a special interest in seeing our province succeed. Will this Premier please stop pitting Nova Scotians against one other by labelling anyone who disagrees with him as a special interest group?

THE PREMIER « » : For clarity, I've never labelled anyone as a special interest. The Opposition has done lots of that. Some have self-disclosed their special interest. My only special interest is in Nova Scotians, and that is why we need to develop our natural resources for the future economic security of this province. For the future energy security of this province, we need to do these things. The member opposite is intent on keeping Nova Scotia reliant on American energy. That's not okay with me. The member made her money in mining. She advanced mining projects, but now she doesn't want Nova Scotians to have the same opportunities that she was privileged to have.