Poilievre pivots focus to reducing provincial barriers as way to deal with trade war [Video]

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Monday that if he becomes prime minister he will implement a plan to boost internal trade in Canada that he says will increase the country’s gross domestic product.

Trade between provinces has become a focal point in discussions around Donald Trump’s tariffs, with Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand saying removing existing barriers “could lower prices by up to 15 per cent, boost productivity by up to seven per cent and add up to $200 billion to the domestic economy.”

Poilievre said Trump’s decision to slap 25 per cent tariffs on most Canadian imports, and 10 per cent on energy imports, is a “wake up call” signalling its time for provinces to work together to improve the flow of trade within the country.

“Canadians will expect all political leaders to do what it takes to make our country more self-reliant and less dependent on the Americans. …