We've had governments made up of both Liberals and Conservatives during wars past. Trump's trade war calls for another one, right now

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Welcome to the 2025 trade wars. United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten to upend Canada’s economy, and those of the world at large. Millions of Canadians could lose their jobs and businesses. The hour demands leadership like never before. So what should Ottawa do, and not do? I’ve got a few ideas, but I will start with the most radical: form a national unity government.

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Canada has had unity governments before, made up of both Liberals and Conservatives, in times of war. Prime Minister Robert Borden established one during the First World War, which lasted from 1917 to 1920. The 2025 version wouldn’t need to last that long. Instead of holding an immediate election, the next Liberal leader and prime minister, likely Mark Carney, should offer cabinet positions to opposition leaders Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh and Yves-François Blanchet, as well as some of their MPs. In exchange, the opposition parties would pledge not to topple the government until October to see the country through the crisis.

That would show true leadership by all concerned. It would also be smart politics for the Liberals, by putting the ball in the opposition parties’ court. If they didn’t accept the deal, an election would be........

© Edmonton Journal