Canada shouldn’t have an election with Trump about to take office, says Green leader

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May has expressed concerns about the timing of a federal election in Canada, especially with the looming prospect of a second Donald Trump administration taking office in Washington. May emphasized that navigating the challenges posed by a new Trump administration would be more complicated if Canada were in the midst of an election.

During a press conference, May highlighted the potential impact of Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods entering the United States. She cautioned against going into an election while the White House was undergoing a transition, as it could hinder Canada’s ability to effectively address trade issues with the U.S.

Opposition parties are actively pushing for a vote of no confidence to bring down the government, potentially triggering a snap election. The Conservatives are planning to introduce a non-confidence motion in early January, with a potential House of Commons vote as early as Jan. 30.

May referenced a past Conservative motion in 2005 that called for the resignation of then-Prime Minister Paul Martin’s government, emphasizing the significance of such motions in Canadian politics. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also expressed readiness to bring down the government through a non-confidence vote following the resignation of former finance minister Chrystia Freeland.

The internal turmoil within the Liberal Party, particularly calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as party leader, has added to the political uncertainty. May refrained from directly commenting on the Liberals’ internal affairs but noted that the situation surrounding Freeland’s resignation raised questions about Trudeau’s leadership.

In addressing Trump’s tariff threats, May stressed the importance of negotiating from a position of strength. She criticized Trump’s claims about drugs and migrants flowing into the U.S. from Canada as “nonsense” and emphasized the need for Canada to stand firm in trade negotiations.

May suggested that Canada should maintain a united front and leverage relationships with U.S. governors to counter any potential tariffs imposed by the incoming Trump administration. She referenced Canada’s past use of retaliatory tariffs and emphasized the importance of presenting a cohesive response to trade challenges.

As Canada navigates the complexities of international trade relations, May’s concerns about the timing of a federal election in the context of a new Trump administration underscore the importance of strategic decision-making in the country’s political landscape.