The True Post (Web News)
Muhammad Aman Ullah
Published: September 9, 2026
Quebec Premier Pauses Election Campaign for Emergency Cabinet Meeting
Quebec Premier and Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) leader Christine Fréchette has temporarily stepped away from her election campaign to resume her responsibilities as premier and call a special cabinet meeting over the province’s response to U.S. tariffs.
Fréchette paused her campaign activities on Sunday and returned to her government duties as Quebec prepares to respond to new tariffs on American products.
Emergency Cabinet Meeting Scheduled for Monday
According to Radio-Canada, Fréchette will chair a special cabinet meeting on Monday, a move also confirmed by The Canadian Press.
Holding an extraordinary cabinet meeting during an election campaign is considered unusual. The meeting has been scheduled one day before Quebec’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products are set to take effect.
Tariffs of Up to 50% on U.S. Products
Quebec will impose retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on a range of American products.
The measures will affect several categories of goods, including dairy products, steel, copper and certain beauty products.
The move comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 50% tariff on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian products.
Political Opponents Criticize Fréchette
Fréchette’s decision to call a special cabinet meeting has drawn criticism from leaders of other political parties in Quebec.
Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard said Quebecers would witness a “political drama” on Monday.
He accused the CAQ government of failing to adequately prepare the province for the tariff war, arguing that the current situation reflects rushed decision-making rather than proper preparation.
Conservatives Call It “Political Promotion”
Quebec Conservative Party leader Éric Duhaime also criticized the decision to hold the special cabinet meeting.
He accused Fréchette of opportunism and argued that the CAQ was attempting to use the current tariff crisis for political promotion and to divert public attention from the government’s previous performance.
Parti Québécois Raises Concerns
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said fear cannot be used as an economic strategy.
He accused Fréchette of repeatedly highlighting the threat of potential actions by Donald Trump in an effort to shift public attention away from the CAQ’s record and the proposals of other political parties.
Plamondon argued that the tariff issue should not become an excuse to avoid the election campaign or reduce transparency with the public.
Call for Federal Government Coordination
Plamondon also called on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal government to directly brief leaders of all Quebec political parties if the United States takes additional retaliatory measures.
He said continuity in government affairs and the protection of Quebec’s economic interests should take priority over political differences between parties.
Québec Solidaire Takes a Different Position
Québec Solidaire spokesperson Ruba Ghazal adopted a more cautious position than some of the other opposition leaders.
She acknowledged that Fréchette remains Quebec’s premier and therefore has a responsibility to conduct government business and hold official meetings.
However, Ghazal questioned what measures the government plans to introduce to protect workers and address the economic pressure created by the tariff crisis.
Similar Situation Seen in 2025
The decision by a political leader to temporarily resume government responsibilities during an election campaign has a recent federal precedent.
During Canada’s 2025 federal election campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney temporarily resumed his duties as prime minister three times because of the trade conflict and tariff tensions with the United States.
The situation in Quebec demonstrates how the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States are increasingly affecting provincial politics and election campaigns.
Tariff Dispute Becomes Election Issue
With retaliatory tariffs approaching, the Quebec government is facing pressure to protect businesses, workers and consumers while also managing the political consequences of the trade dispute.
The emergency cabinet meeting is expected to focus on the province’s response to U.S. tariffs and the potential economic impact on Quebec.
The development comes at a politically sensitive time, with the provincial election campaign already underway and opposition parties closely scrutinizing the CAQ government’s handling of the trade crisis.
