Quebec premier says tariff countermeasures will add $1.5B to the province's economy

Quebec Premier and Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette, flanked by Quebec Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy an Minister Responsible for Maritime Strategy Bernard Drainville, left, and Quebec Municipal Affairs Minister Samuel Poulin, right, arrive for a news conference on tariffs at the premier’s office in Quebec City, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)

The Quebec government has announced a series of measures to promote buying locally in response to the escalating trade war between Canada and the United States.

Premier Christine Fréchette says the measures will inject about $1.5 billion into the Quebec economy in the next four months.

Fréchette’s cabinet met as she took a break from the provincial election campaign to return to her role as premier and address the latest in the trade war.

READ MORE:

• Trump threatens Canadian jetmaker Bombardier, which has an extensive U.S. footprint
• Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on American goods are now in effect

The ministers adopted an order-in-council requiring the government to take steps to favour local businesses when it comes to awarding contracts, such as reserving public bids for companies with a place of business in Quebec and Canada.

Those measures could also including requiring that goods be produced and processed in the province, and granting a 15 per cent preferential margin based on Quebec or Canadian value added.

She says Quebec is facing a bully and has the choice to either kneel down or to stand tall.

• READ MORE: Christine Fréchette responds to Trump’s Bombardier threats

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs kicked in on Monday after the breakdown of talks with the United States.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 8, 2026.