“We will never trust the United States in the same way that we did in the past.”
That declaration from Liberal candidate Jonathan Wilkinson set the tone at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event Monday, where candidates debated how to handle growing trade tensions with the U.S. — and whether Canada’s future lies in looking beyond its largest trading partner.
Wilkinson, who represented North Vancouver–Capilano in the last government, said that although Ottawa will continue to work and trade with the U.S. due to geography, given what has transpired, Canada won’t be as trusting or reliant on trade with that country.
He cited Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to France and the U.K. for his first overseas trip in mid-March, saying Canada will have to enhance trade with more reliable partners and be more strategic diversifying trade.
“We have free trade agreements with over 50 countries. …We need to be thinking about how we can better match Canadian products with international needs,” he said. “The Liberal government will inject $5 billion into a trade diversification order to address bottlenecks like the Massey tunnel and the port.”
Iain Black, the Conservative Party candidate for Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam, said at the event that change is desperately needed in Canada, adding the country cannot afford another Liberal term amid a stalling economy.
He said a Conservative government can be trusted to drive down taxes, meaningfully cut red tape, create housing and bring back investment. Black also said his party would stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump from a position of strength.
“As Conservatives, we will work to end the tariffs on day one after the election,” he said. “No one controls Donald Trump. What we can do, however, is better control Canada’s fate.”
He said this would be done by reversing economic policies of that last Liberal government. Black also pointed out the issues of rising housing costs and a slow-growing GDP over the last 10 years.
“Let us not forget that while the federal levels were systematically dismantling all the industries in this country, they found time to attack the small business community, too,” he said. “Without any consultation or warning, the Liberals tried to force down your throats a punishing and tone-deaf overhaul of the small business tax code that had been honoured for four decades.”
Vanessa Sharma, NDP candidate for Cloverdale–Langley City, said at the event the Liberals and Conservatives have little to show after decades in power as the cost of living squeezes Canadians.
She highlighted her party’s plan to improve affordability and to train 100,000 skilled workers to ramp up housing production and fill labour gaps in sectors like health.
Sharma said the NDP would implement dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs, banning American companies from federal procurement and prioritizing Canadian materials in public projects.
Meanwhile, Wilkinson also said getting rid of interprovincial trade barriers could boost Canada’s GDP by four per cent or $80 billion, as estimated by the International Monetary Fund.
The Business Council of Alberta estimates that interprovincial trade barriers are equivalent to a 6.9 per cent tariff on Canadian goods.
“It is important for Canadians to have confidence in the prime minister … to manage what will be challenging times,” said Wilkinson. “And here, the choice you are being offered is stark.”
He said Carney has senior economic experience in the public and private sectors, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has sat in the House of Commons for 20 years.
“He is the epitome of a career politician. He has never worked in the private sector,” Wilkinson said.
Black said unleashing Canada’s resources was also needed to boost the economy, as well as revoking some legislation from the current government to expedite the construction of critical energy infrastructure.
“I think one of the biggest flaws in the narrative right now when it comes to dealing with President Trump is that this is an economic discussion,” said Black. “It’s not, this is bare-knuckle politics.”
He said Poilievre is someone who has experience in politics, diplomacy and the parliamentary system, and who’s been preparing for this moment his entire life.
Black added a reset is needed mentally, saying the government’s job is to pave the way and get out of the way.
“And right now, the government is in the way,” he said.
Sharma said the NDP plans to build three million homes by 2030 and unlock more land for construction.
Federal leaders are set to debate in French Wednesday and debate in English Thursday.
