Alberta premier disappointed with Justin Trudeau for not holding federal election
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says resigned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s delay in holding a federal election was “irresponsible and selfish” and it is now up to the Canadian prime minister to defend Canada in U.S. trade talks.
Trudeau announced Monday morning that he would step down as prime minister and party leader after the federal Liberals choose his successor.
“This is one of the most irresponsible and self-serving acts of government in Canadian history,” Smith wrote of Trudeau’s decision to prorogue Parliament until March 24 while the party holds a leadership race.
During a news conference in Calgary on Monday afternoon, Smith said she was “disappointed” that Trudeau did not call an election immediately, as Canada faces a challenge to Canada from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office in two years. Fear of 25% tariff on imported products.
Smith worries that such tariffs on Alberta oil and gas products would be devastating to economies on both sides of the international border.
“We have a lame duck leader with no immediate plans to leave and no decision on who will be a negotiating partner,” Smith said.
She said a federal election would resolve that uncertainty more quickly.
Watch | Smith reacts to Trudeau’s statement
Until then, Smith said prime ministers like her should convince Americans they need Canadian crude products to meet their energy needs and continue to profit from refined petroleum exports.
“When I’m online, when I’m in the American media, all I do is talk about things that are good for Canada,” she said.
Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, said Canada needs to establish stable and unified leadership as soon as possible to prevent economic damage.
“This is absolutely a critical moment for Canada,” she said in an interview. “In two weeks, we will have a change of government south of the border. A change of government poses a very serious economic threat to Canada, and we need strong voices and strong government to deal with it.”
Yedlin said prime ministers must put “country first and party second” and present a united front when negotiating with the incoming Trump administration in the United States
Speak on CBC program alberta noonCalgary Skyview Liberal MP George Chahal has defended his party’s plan to hold a leadership race.
“This is a way for our party to show that we are changing and that we will come up with new ideas because our country can continue to be the greatest country in the world,” Chahal said.
Prorogating the session would prevent the opposition parties from immediately overthrowing the Liberal minority government by introducing a motion of no confidence.
Any federal legislation without royal assent now ceases to exist.
Trump is scheduled to be inaugurated as the 49th President of the United States on January 20.
