Latest news with #Scheer
National Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
Carney grilled on US tariffs during his first question period in House of Commons
Prime Minister Mark Carney fielded questions about the trade war with the United States and his decision to delay the federal budget to the fall as he faced his first question period grilling in the House of Commons Wednesday. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer welcomed Carney to the House before launching into a question about Canada's response to US tariffs. "This is where democracy lives, and this is where we provide rigorous scrutiny on every word he says and every dollar he spends," Scheer said. While Carney defended his government's response to US President Donald Trump 's tariffs, Scheer accused him of falling into "old Liberal habits of not being able to answer questions." Scheer pressed Carney on his decision not to table a budget until after the summer. In reply, the prime minister shot back that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre 's 100-day plan during the election campaign also didn't include plans to table a budget — and referred to Poilievre as the "former" MP for Carleton. Poilievre was absent from the House of Commons Wednesday for the first time in two decades after failing to win re-election in his riding. He did not sit in the gallery to watch question period. Bruce Fanjoy, the new Liberal MP who handed Poilievre his first electoral defeat in more than two decades, was given a rousing standing ovation from his Liberal colleagues when he rose to deliver his first member's statement just before question period started. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also went after Carney over tariffs, pointing out in a question that Tuesday's throne speech made no mention of trade or tariffs. Carney made a small dig at Blanchet over his absence from the event; the Bloc leader had criticized Carney for inviting the King in the first place. "The throne speech, for those who were there," Carney quipped, drawing laughter, even from Blanchet. "We heard about transformation of the global trade system, which is a crisis for Canada." Carney took nine questions in both languages in his first question period. Carney has chosen to depart from his predecessor Justin Trudeau's practice of taking every question on Wednesdays. Trump, trade and Canada's sovereignty were also front and centre as the Liberal caucus met on Parliament Hill Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, hours after the King presented the speech from the throne in Ottawa — which included several lines asserting Canada's sovereignty — Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account that it would cost Canada $61 billion to join the planned "Golden Dome" missile defence program, or nothing at all if it joins the United States. "Oh my God, he's got to give that stuff up. Never going to happen," Liberal MP Darren Fisher said on his way into the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning. "I take my lead from the people that I speak to in my community and across the country, and it's very clear that people want us to stand up for Canada's sovereignty," Justice Minister Sean Fraser told reporters. "Obviously, we want to partner with the United States where possible, but we do have to stand up for Canada's interest economically and … from the sovereignty point of view." Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia's office has confirmed that all 343 members of Parliament have now been sworn in. Roughly a third of those MPs, including Carney, were elected for the first time in April. Tom Kmiec, Conservative member of Parliament for Calgary Shepard, was named deputy Speaker and chair of committees of the whole on Wednesday. Liberal House leader Steven MacKinnon told reporters six consecutive days have been set aside for debate on the throne speech before the government begins to table legislation. He did not say how many bills could be tabled during this short session. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Carney grilled on U.S. tariffs in his first question period in House of Commons
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney fielded questions about the trade war with the United States and his decision to delay the federal budget to the fall as he faced his first question period grilling in the House of Commons Wednesday. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer welcomed Carney to the House before launching into a question about Canada's response to U.S. tariffs. "This is where democracy lives, and this is where we provide rigorous scrutiny on every word he says and every dollar he spends," Scheer said. While Carney defended his government's response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, Scheer accused him of falling into "old Liberal habits of not being able to answer questions." Scheer pressed Carney on his decision not to table a budget until after the summer. In reply, the prime minister shot back that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's 100-day plan during the election campaign also didn't include plans to table a budget — and referred to Poilievre as the "former" MP for Carleton. Poilievre was absent from the House of Commons Wednesday for the first time in two decades after failing to win re-election in his riding. He did not sit in the gallery to watch question period. Bruce Fanjoy, the new Liberal MP who handed Poilievre his first electoral defeat in more than two decades, was given a rousing standing ovation from his Liberal colleagues when he rose to deliver his first member's statement just before question period started. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also went after Carney over tariffs, pointing out in a question that Tuesday's throne speech made no mention of trade or tariffs. Carney made a small dig at Blanchet over his absence from the event; the Bloc leader had criticized Carney for inviting the King in the first place. "The throne speech, for those who were there," Carney quipped, drawing laughter, even from Blanchet. "We heard about transformation of the global trade system, which is a crisis for Canada." Carney took nine questions in both languages in his first question period. Carney has chosen to depart from his predecessor Justin Trudeau's practice of taking every question on Wednesdays. Trump, trade and Canada's sovereignty were also front and centre as the Liberal caucus met on Parliament Hill Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, hours after the King presented the speech from the throne in Ottawa — which included several lines asserting Canada's sovereignty — Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account that it would cost Canada $61 billion to join the planned "Golden Dome" missile defence program, or nothing at all if it joins the United States. "Oh my God, he's got to give that stuff up. Never going to happen," Liberal MP Darren Fisher said on his way into the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning. "I take my lead from the people that I speak to in my community and across the country, and it's very clear that people want us to stand up for Canada's sovereignty," Justice Minister Sean Fraser told reporters. "Obviously, we want to partner with the United States where possible, but we do have to stand up for Canada's interest economically and … from the sovereignty point of view." Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia's office has confirmed that all 343 members of Parliament have now been sworn in. Roughly a third of those MPs, including Carney, were elected for the first time in April. Tom Kmiec, Conservative member of Parliament for Calgary Shepard, was named deputy Speaker and chair of committees of the whole on Wednesday. Liberal House leader Steven MacKinnon told reporters six consecutive days have been set aside for debate on the throne speech before the government begins to table legislation. He did not say how many bills could be tabled during this short session. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025. Nick Murray, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Five things from the first question period of Canada's 45th Parliament
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney faced questions and criticisms from opposition parties during the first question period of Canada's 45th Parliament. Here's a quick look at how the first day went. — Elbows down? Former party leader Andrew Scheer led the Conservatives in the Commons Wednesday afternoon during Prime Minister Mark Carney's first-ever question period. In his opening remarks, Scheer, now the leader of the Opposition in the House, argued that Carney was 'elbows up' during the election campaign but had since brought them down. Carney said Canada's tariffs have a maximum impact on the U.S. and a minimal impact on Canada. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also pressed Carney on tariffs and said that while he ran on the issue during the campaign, there was no reference to tariffs in Tuesday's throne speech. Carney said the speech included words about transformation and that the Liberals have a 'daring plan' to respond to the crisis. — Hello from the other side Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was excluded from question period today after losing his seat. In a press conference held in the foyer outside the House of Commons chamber before question period began, the Conservative leader told reporters he'd love to be in the chamber. Instead, it was Bruce Fanjoy, the new Liberal MP who defeated Poilievre in Carleton, on the inside. He even got a standing ovation, cheers and applause. Fanjoy said in his remarks that he'd never take the honour for granted, mirroring his previous comments about Poilievre's failures in representing his constituents. Those watching question period from the room included P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson. — The 'man with the plan' questioned over budget delay Throughout question period, Conservatives pushed back on the Liberals' plan to delay the release of a budget until the fall. Scheer questioned why Carney, the 'man with the plan and the guy we hire in a crisis,' wouldn't table a budget before going on 'summer vacation.' The prime minister quipped back that the 100-day plan released during the election by Pierre Poilievre – who he referred to as the 'former member for Carleton' – also didn't include plans to table a budget. Carney said his government's plan includes introducing legislation for 'nation-building projects' and one Canadian economy 'immediately.' — Everything old is new again? In the first few minutes of question period, Scheer made remarks about Carney's government not being much different from the previous one, including by saying that 'he didn't take long to pick up old Liberal habits of not being able to answer questions.' Answering a question about pipelines, Carney emphasized that his 'new' government is acting immediately to grow the economy, with his response receiving loud laughs from opposition parties. The Liberals were also pressed on energy, crime and housing during question period. MPs repeatedly mentioned the government's plans to cut taxes. — One is the loneliest number The NDP was only able to ask one question today after losing official party status and being reduced to just seven seats in last month's election. Without official party status, the seven NDP MPs are officially considered independents, and despite their small number, aren't even all able to sit together. Five are on one side, and two are on the other. Interim NDP Leader Don Davies, who said the speaker agreed to give the NDP seven questions per week in question period, used his allotted time Wednesday to push the government to bring Canada's jobless rate down and protect workers in the face of tariffs. — With files from Sarah Ritchie This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025.
National Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
Carney faces questions about US trade war, federal budget on his first day in House of Commons
Prime Minister Mark Carney fielded questions about the trade war with the United States and his decision to delay the federal budget to the fall as he faced his first ever grilling in question period in the House of Commons Wednesday. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer welcomed Carney to the House before launching into a question about Canada's response to U.S. tariffs. "This is where democracy lives, and this is where we provide rigorous scrutiny on every word he says and every dollar he spends," Scheer said. While Carney defended his government's response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, Scheer accused him of falling into "old Liberal habits of not being able to answer questions." Scheer pressed Carney on his decision not to table a budget until after the summer. In reply, the prime minister shot back that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's 100-day plan during the election campaign also didn't include plans to table a budget — and referred to Poilievre as the "former" MP for Carleton. Poilievre was absent from the House of Commons Wednesday for the first time in two decades after failing to win re-election in his riding. He did not sit in the gallery to watch question period. Bruce Fanjoy, the new Liberal MP who handed Poilievre his first electoral defeat in more than two decades, was given a rousing standing ovation from his Liberal colleagues when he rose to deliver his first member's statement in the House just before question period started. Prime Minister Mark Carney fielded questions about the trade war with the United States and his decision to delay the federal budget to the fall as he faced his first ever grilling in question period in the House of Commons Wednesday. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet, also went at Carney over tariffs, pointing out in a question that Tuesday's throne speech made no mention of trade or tariffs. In response, Carney pointed out that Blanchet didn't attend the speech, which was delivered by King Charles. In all, Carney took nine questions in both languages in his first question period. Carney has chosen to depart from his predecessor Justin Trudeau's practice of taking every question on Wednesdays. Trump, trade and Canada's sovereignty were also front and centre as the Liberal caucus met on Parliament Hill Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, hours after the King presented the speech from the throne in Ottawa — which included several lines asserting Canada's sovereignty — Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account that it would cost Canada $61 billion to join the planned "Golden Dome" missile defence program, or nothing at all if it joins the United States. "Oh my God, he's got to give that stuff up. Never going to happen," Liberal MP Darren Fisher said on his way into the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning. "I take my lead from the people that I speak to in my community and across the country, and it's very clear that people want us to stand up for Canada's sovereignty," Justice Minister Sean Fraser told reporters. "Obviously, we want to partner with the United States where possible, but we do have to stand up for Canada's interest economically and … from the sovereignty point of view." Parliament got back to work Wednesday with a new Speaker, a new prime minister and plenty of new faces in the House of Commons. Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia's office has confirmed that all 343 members of Parliament have now been sworn in. Roughly a third of those MPs, including Carney, were elected for the first time in April. Liberal House leader Steven MacKinnon told reporters six consecutive days have been set aside for debate on the throne speech before the government begins to table legislation. He did not say how many bills could be tabled during this short session.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mark Carney pressed on lack of spring budget in first question period as prime minister
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney was pressed on his government's decision to punt the budget until the fall and his promise to make Canada an 'energy superpower' during his first question period on Wednesday. Interim Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer started by welcoming Carney to his first official question period and reminded him 'this is where we provide rigorous scrutiny on every word he says and every dollar he spends on behalf of Canadians.' 'Now, let's talk about those words and dollars,' he said. Scheer went on to enumerate how he believes Canadians are still suffering from the consequences of Liberal policies — pointing to increased household debt and food bank usage — and asked how a man who promised to act at 'great speed' won't table a budget right away. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said two weeks ago there would be no federal budget in the spring, but a fall economic statement instead. Days later, Carney announced his government would present a budget during the fall session instead. 'If he's the man with the plan and the guy you hire in a crisis, why won't he table a budget before he goes on summer vacation?' Scheer asked. Carney shot back by saying that Scheer was probably 'very busy' and 'did not have a chance to study closely the 100-day plan' of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre which made no mention of tabling a budget in that timeframe. 'They must be really afraid to come clean with Canadians if they're going to punt it off into the fall,' retorted Scheer. Scheer went on to question Carney on his 'claim that somehow the Liberals have changed' and said he had 'a chance to prove it to Canadians.' 'If he's serious, will he tell Canadians that pipelines are part of his values by repealing Bill C-69?' Ottawa's impact assessment act, also dubbed the 'no pipelines bill' by its critics, came into force in 2019 and has been a hot-button issue ever since. Carney insisted that his 'new government' would act immediately to grow the economy, support 'nation-building projects' and work with provinces to build them. The Conservative opposition went on to question many of his ministers on pipelines and housing — with a particular focus on rookie ministers Tim Hodgson and Gregor Robertson. The prime minister's office confirmed earlier this week that Carney would not be pursuing his predecessor Justin Trudeau's tradition of answering all questions put to the government by the opposition in the House of Commons every Wednesday. His office said he would only be answering questions in the opening round of questions, as he did on Wednesday. Trudeau started the tradition of the 'prime minister's question period' — a common practice in the United Kingdom — in 2017 to improve accountability within the chamber. It was a way for all parties to take turns questioning directly the prime minister. Despite being a fan of British traditions, Carney promised a 'true cabinet government' with ministers 'expected and empowered to show leadership' on their files. Conservative MP Gérard Deltell said he did not mind Carney breaking tradition with Trudeau on the prime minister's question period and favours substance over form. 'It's not the number of answers that you give, it's the kind of answers that you give that is most important,' Deltell told reporters as he headed to his weekly caucus on Wednesday morning. 'If there are some clear responses, that will be interesting. We will see.' Deltell added that Carney has had some 'difficulties with the truth' — pointing to comments hinting that U.S. President Donald Trump had not raised the '51st state' in their first call. It turns out that Trump did, admitted Carney during the campaign. Liberal MPs said prior to the first question period of the spring session that they were hoping for more decorum and less heckling from the opposition benches. 'Let's hope for some collegiality, let's hope for some demonstration that we are all in this together and we are all working for Canadians,' said Karina Gould, who served as government House leader in the last Parliament. 'I would like to see the Conservatives start with an attempt at cooperation. We certainly had a very rocky end to the last Parliament,' she said. James Maloney, who was recently chosen as the Liberals' caucus chair, said he was 'curious' to see if the tone in the chamber will be different or more of the same. 'I would like to see more respect for Parliament, I'd like to see more respect for the members in the House, and I'd like to see that people have a sense of renewal because we just had an election. We've got a new government,' he said. 'We've got a lot to do and I'd like to see people get out to work.' Poilievre, who was speaking outside of the chamber because he is not an MP, announced before question period his party would support the government's initiative to implement a middle-class tax cut, cut the GST on new homes and scrap the consumer carbon tax. 'As I said a few weeks ago, I'm encouraging the Liberals to steal my ideas, because we have the best ideas,' he said. 'We're here for the right reasons — not for our egos. It's to get things done, to make people's lives better,' he added. Poilievre hinted it is with a little twinge of sorrow that he will be watching his party hold the government accountable, from the sidelines, for the first time in more than two decades. 'I'd love to be in there. It's a great place,' he said. Poilievre said he would 'work hard' to earn the opportunity to sit in the House again. A byelection in a rural Alberta riding is expected to be called as soon as the Conservative MP steps down, which means that the Conservative leader will likely be back in his seat in the fall. National Post calevesque@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here.
