With 2025 on the door step, we spoke with Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence on what local residents should expect in the coming year.
On the top of Lawrence’s list is the proposed 25% U.S. tariff on Canadian products which is expected to have significant economic repercussions for Canada, straining the trade relationship between the two countries.
Lawrence said he’s concerned about the ramifications of the tariff by US President elect Donald Trump.
Key industries, including automotive, agriculture, and steel, which are deeply integrated with U.S. supply chains, could face substantial losses. Canadian exporters may struggle with reduced competitiveness in the U.S. market, potentially leading to job losses and economic slowdowns in affected sectors.
According to Lawrence, it’s not just Canada that would suffer.
Retaliatory measures by Canada could escalate trade tensions, further impacting bilateral trade valued at over $1 trillion annually. Small and medium-sized enterprises reliant on cross-border trade may face the greatest challenges, as they lack the resources to absorb increased costs.
Though we spoke with the MP before Jagmeet Singh’s announcement that he plans to introduce a motion of non-confidence, Lawrence told us he thinks an election can’t come soon enough.
The New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, has announced plans to introduce this motion when the House of Commons reconvenes on January 27, 2025. This development follows the NDP’s withdrawal from a prior confidence and supply agreement with the Liberals, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of healthcare reforms and affordability measures.
For Lawrence, the two issues are tied together, and he believes the only answer is a strong, stable Conservative majority government in order to “push back with a Canada-first approach against the upcoming US administration.”
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
