Singh pitches EI reform, infrastructure and affordability in tariff response plan

WINNIPEG — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party has a plan to safeguard Canada from Donald Trump’s trade war as the U.S. president prepares to roll out new tariffs.

Singh is citing previously announced NDP policy proposals like increasing employment insurance payments, building an east-west electricity grid and putting money collected through retaliatory tariffs into affected sectors like steel and auto manufacturing.

Trump is expected to unveil today his latest round of “reciprocal” tariffs on countries he claims have been taking advantage of the U.S.

It’s still not clear if Trump’s pause on previously announced economywide tariffs on Canada and Mexico will end today.

Singh has been arguing during the election campaign that the NDP is the only party looking out for workers as the trade war intensifies.

The NDP leader is including previously announced affordability promises in his tariff plan, such as removing the GST on “essentials” like home heating, premade grocery store meals and children’s’ clothes, capping grocery prices on staples and expanding health programs like dental care.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2025.

Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press