Opposition pushes P.E.I. government on tariff preparedness as legislature resumes

As the P.E.I. Legislature resumed for its spring sitting on Wednesday, the Leader of the Opposition questioned the Progressive Conservative government's preparedness to deal with the threat of U.S. tariffs. 

Premier Rob Lantz said his government will safeguard the province's export-driven economy as it works toward carrying out the pledges in Tuesday's speech from the throne. 

While few specifics were provided, Lantz said there will be dollars dedicated to the tariff fight in the upcoming budget. 

"Until we get to the point of our proceedings here in the legislature of tabling a budget, I'm not going to get into a specific number," he said. "The problem is the great unknown about what the impacts of this economic trade war will actually be on the ground." 

Nova Scotia's government, which tabled its budget in February, included a $200 million contingency fund for its U.S. tariff response. 

Lantz said the P.E.I. government will also bring legislation this session to bring down interprovincial trade barriers, adding that legislation in Nova Scotia is now the standard across the country. 

Hal Perry, the Leader of the Official Opposition, said he's been hearing from Islanders worried about the effects of U.S.-imposed tariffs. 

"There is great concern across this province," the Liberal MLA said. "My fear is that this government really hasn't worked out any substantial plan to cope with this potential problem."

Perry said the uncertainty of the tariff threat is very damaging to Islanders, and asked Lantz which section of the economy is under the greatest threat. 

"Our entire economy is under threat," Lantz replied. "We have a very trade-dependent economy we've built. Since 2018 — the year before this government took over here — our export trade has grown by over $1 billion." 

Lantz said his government has a plan, a paper copy of which he held up in the legislature as he spoke about it. The title page carried the words "Protecting Our Future."

"This is the blueprint, the framework that we'll follow. We'll have to adjust as circumstances require," Lantz said. 

Calling the plan "several pages of pictures," Perry said he would not comment on it. 

Perry also asked Lantz whether he thought the province's mission trip to the U.S. in early January had been a successful project.