Pierre Poilievre accuses Mark Carney of weakness in dealing with Donald Trump, China

Pierre Poilievre says Mark Carney has fallen short on defending Canadian interests on the global stage because the Prime Minister is not effectively dealing with the United States and China.

Mr. Poilievre, the federal Conservative Leader, made the comments Wednesday during his first news conference since a by-election victory in Alberta this week that will allow him to return to the House of Commons as a member of Parliament.

The Commons is now on a summer break and set to resume on Sept. 15, although it remains to be seen if Mr. Poilievre will be sworn in as the new MP for Battle River-Crowfoot by then.

Mr. Poilievre remarked that U.S. tariffs have increased despite the Liberal government backing off on countertariffs and scrapping a planned digital-services tax that was criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Where are Mr. Carney's elbows these days? He seems to have misplaced them," Mr. Poilievre said in Surrey, B.C.

"He's made concession after concession to President Trump and he got nothing in return."

Mr. Poilievre also said that China, sensing weakness, has imposed damaging tariffs on Canadian products.

"Mark Carney is losing abroad, and Canadians are paying the price at home," he said.

The Conservative Leader's comments came in the same week that Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged him to be more of a team player in Canada's conflict with the U.S.

Speaking Monday as he left a meeting with Mr. Carney on Parliament Hill, Mr. Ford, a Progressive Conservative, suggested that Mr. Poilievre should "work with the Prime Minister."

"It's Team Canada. Let's put our political stripes aside and start working together collectively on large infrastructure projects, and other areas that he can co-operate with the government."

The Ontario Premier repeated a call for co-operation Wednesday during a news conference in Hamilton.

"This is a time to work together. Let's forget these political stripes that drive me crazy from the day I got elected," Mr. Ford said. "We're on one team."

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In a victory speech Monday, Mr. Poilievre said Conservatives will continue to extend a hand to Mr. Carney, and work with any party to end tariffs "and get a fair deal for Canada."

As prime minister, Mr. Poilievre said Wednesday, he would operate from a position of strength, passing a proposed Conservative sovereignty act to repeal some Liberal energy laws and expedite such projects as pipelines and mine development.

In response to a Canadian 100-per-cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, China has imposed a 100-per-cent tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal, effectively barring the import of those products.

China is the largest export market for Canadian canola seed, the product of an industry that employs about 200,000 people and contributes more than $43-billion to Canada's economy.

Mr. Carney has said discussions are under way on supports for farmers affected by the trade conflict.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has raised doubts about whether a deal can be reached with Mr. Trump that removes all U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

Talks have been under way between the two countries on the trade conflict that's seen tariffs imposed on both sides since March.

Asked to respond to Mr. Poilievre's remarks, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that the 2018 free-trade agreement between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico means the U.S. average tariff rate on Canadian goods remains one of its lowest for all of its trading partners.

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"Other sectors of our economy - including lumber, steel, aluminum, and automobiles - are, however, heavily impacted by U.S. duties and tariffs," the statement said.

"While we will continue to negotiate with the United States on a long-term trading relationship, Canada's new government has taken significant action to protect Canadian jobs, invest in our industrial competitiveness, buy Canadian, and diversify our export markets."

On another issue, Mr. Poilievre said the federal government should list the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, thus giving law enforcement stronger tools to dismantle the group.

The gang, named for an Indian gangster, has been linked to extortion cases targeting South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, Edmonton and Ontario's Peel Region.

B.C. Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have called on the federal government to declare the group a terrorist organization.

"The federal government must use every tool available to dismantle this network and keep Canadians safe," Ms. Smith and Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said in a joint statement in mid-July.

Asked about the issue, Simon Lafortune, the press secretary for federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, said Wednesday that decisions to place entities on the terrorist list are based on evidence, intelligence, and the advice of security and intelligence services.

"That process is rigorous and ongoing, and all potential threats are continually assessed to ensure we are keeping Canadians safe," Mr. Lafortune said in a statement.