Finance ministers meet in Montreal to address trade barriers and tariffs

Finance ministers from across Canada met in Montreal to discuss tariffs, interprovincial trade, and economic resilience ahead of new U.S. levies.

Tackling tariffs and trade barriers on the agenda for finance ministers in Montreal

Finance ministers from across the country met in Montreal on Friday to talk tariffs.

With the next round of U.S. levies expected to hit home in April, their message was optimistic.

“Certainly, there’s a sense of ambition, to build in this country, to make our country stronger,” said Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.

Identifying inter-provincial projects was a priority, from power lines to ports.

The ministers discussed creating trade corridors for canola from the west and overcoming capacity issues limiting production.

“We didn’t want this trade war, we didn’t ask for it,” said B.C.’s Finance Minister Brenda Bailey.

“But we’re taking the opportunity to become more resilient, making our economies stronger.”

The status quo is not an option, added Ontario’s Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy.

“The people of Ontario, the people of Canada want us to get things done.”

During this period of uncertainty, the Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard said it’s important to boost public investments in the economy.

He added that private investments are low with companies worried about access to U.S. markets.

Girard hinted at some of the protective and preventive measures in the province’s upcoming budget.

“Concentration on the economy, protecting public services, while keeping sound public finance always in the background. That’s what you will see.”

The Quebec budget is set to be released next Tuesday.