Quebec premier François Fréchette, leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, announced on September 7, 2026 that he will pause his campaign activities to convene a provincial cabinet meeting. The gathering is intended to address Canada’s upcoming retaliatory tariffs on a range of United States products, which are scheduled to take effect the day after the meeting.
The federal government’s tariff package targets several categories of American goods, including dairy items, steel, copper and selected beauty products. The rates announced for the measures range from 15 percent to 50 percent, depending on the specific sector. Ottawa has positioned the tariffs as a response to recent trade actions taken by the United States.
Fréchette’s decision to suspend campaign events underscores the importance he places on the issue for Quebec. By bringing his ministers together, the premier aims to evaluate the potential impact of the new duties on the province’s economy, supply chains and consumers. The discussion will also consider how Quebec’s own policies may need to adapt in light of the federal measures.
The cabinet session is expected to produce recommendations for the provincial government’s response and to coordinate with the federal authorities on implementation details. Quebec’s agricultural and industrial sectors, which are directly linked to the affected product lines, will be closely monitored for any shifts in trade flows once the tariffs become active.
The timing of the meeting, one day before the tariffs are set to be applied, suggests a coordinated effort to ensure that provincial stakeholders receive clear guidance. As the measures come into force, both provincial and federal officials will track their effects on cross‑border trade and on the price of the targeted goods for Quebec residents.
The cabinet’s deliberations will be documented and shared with relevant ministries to facilitate a unified approach across government levels as Canada moves forward with the retaliatory tariff regime.