Opposition parties call for Parliament's return after Trump hits pause on tariffs

An overall view of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa is shown on Saturday, April 11, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives and New Democrats say the government needs to recall Parliament within the next month to act on U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threat.

On Monday, Trump agreed not to impose punishing tariffs on Canadian imports until March 4 after striking a deal with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over two phone calls.

Trudeau says he presented Trump with the federal government’s plan to secure the border and tackle fentanyl production and trafficking.

Many elements of that plan were announced in December and some aspects will require legislative changes passed by Parliament.

Trudeau prorogued Parliament on Jan. 6 and it is not scheduled to sit again until March 24.

The pause on Parliament is meant to allow the Liberal party to choose its next leader on March 9 and ensure the minority government is not toppled before then.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 4, 2025.

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press