NDP calls out Conservative MP 'no show' at parliamentary visit to Washington

New Democrats say Conservative MPs were missing in action as Canadian parliamentarians visited Capitol Hill and met with American lawmakers and business leaders this week.

Canadian MPs and senators were in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of Parliament's diplomatic efforts. The trip coincided with the start of the U.S.-Canada trade war.

In a social media post, NDP MP Brian Masse noted the Conservative MPs' absence at a critical time.

"The Conservative House of Commons members are a no show despite having the most spots for our delegation," posted Masse, who represents the border riding of Windsor West. "We even have the Bloc [Québécois] represented to show solidarity for all those who live in our great nation."

In an interview with CBC News, Masse said Canada needs an all-hands-on deck approach to get Washington to back down.

"We're doing this at a time when it should be Team Canada approach," Masse said.

He said Conservatives have spent a number of years "talking down Canada" and repeating that "Canada is broken."

Masse is part of the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group, a non-partisan group of Canadian lawmakers who regularly travel to Washington to lobby the U.S. Congress.

Masse is one of the vice-chairs, along with Liberal MP John McKay, who was "disappointed" that the Conservatives did not send any MPs.

He noted that a Conservative senator attended, but MPs have always been a "value-added " element to these trips.

"I was rather hoping the Conservatives would come because their access to the Republican MAGA crowd is probably a lot better than ours," said McKay, a Liberal from Toronto, referring to President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement.

"I don't think we're as effective as we could be, had we had the Conservatives with us."

McKay defended the work of parliamentary diplomacy, noting that MPs often bump into key U.S. political players just by showing up on Capitol Hill.

"Our diplomats do a pretty superb job down here in Washington," McKay said. "They really busted their rear ends turning over every stone."

But he argued that "elected people relate better to elected people."

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's office declined to answer questions about Conservative MPs' absence on the trip. However, a party spokesperson pointed CBC News to his seven-point plan to shield and strengthen the Canadian economy from tariffs.

It includes allocating some of the revenue generated by counter-tariffs to reduce taxes and provide targeted relief for workers.