MLAs won't return to P.E.I. legislature early to debate tariff plan, says Speaker

Darlene Compton is denying a request from the Liberal Party to reconvene the P.E.I. Legislative Assembly on Feb. 11 so MLAs could discuss the province's plan to tackle potential U.S. tariffs.

Compton, the house Speaker, wrote a letter to interim Liberal Leader Hal Perry that the legislature's spring sitting will begin as planned on Feb. 25. 

"I will not disrupt the parliamentary calendar," Compton wrote. 

Perry had asked the Speaker this week to bring MLAs back to the legislature two weeks early. 

"It's all about planning," Perry said Monday. "I have no indication, and there has been no indication from this premier or this government that they have any plans to mitigate these imposing tariffs and how it's going to impact Islanders and Island businesses."

Islanders weigh in on Canada-U.S. tariff tiff

1 day ago

Duration 2:11

Many people across the country are closely watching the tariff tensions between Canada and the United States. CBC's Connor Lamont went to Royalty Crossing mall in Charlottetown to find out how shoppers are feeling about it all.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump will hold off levying 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods for at least 30 days after Ottawa made a series of commitments to improve security along the border.

Premier Dennis King posted on social media late Monday evening that his government would also pause its retaliation plan in response to the 30-day reprieve.

"This decision creates space for important discussions to find a solution that protects jobs, businesses, and industries in PEI and across Canada," the post reads. 

Before the announcement was made about the tariff pause on Monday, King had said the province would look at any contracts it has with U.S.-based businesses — including its controversial deal with the National Hockey League — to see if it can shift business to Canadian companies. 

That came after King announced in a news release Sunday that all American wine, beer and spirits would be pulled from provincial liquor store shelves by Tuesday. 

P.E.I. premier promises help for Islanders in the face of U.S. tariffs

1 day ago

Duration 4:25

Premier Dennis King says his government is prepared to roll out "extraordinary efforts" to help Island households and businesses weather a forthcoming trade war between the U.S. and Canada that could have big impacts on P.E.I.

Welcome reprieve for businesses

For the time being, some P.E.I. industries said the news of the tariff pause is welcome. 

"Our approach to this point is sort of stay calm, you know, and not get too excited," said Greg Donald, general manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board. 

If tariffs do end up on Island potatoes, the cost will have to be pushed on to customers and ultimately to consumers, Donald said. 

More than half of the province's annual 2.5 billion pounds of potatoes end up in the U.S., amounting to an economic impact of $1.35 billion, the P.E.I. Potato Board said.