Unions call on Ottawa to protect over one million jobs in critical sectors that could be impacted by tariffs
Canada’s unions are urging the federal government to safeguard jobs that could be affected by the new tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On Wednesday, Trump stated that a blanket 10% tariff would apply to all goods imported by Americans from other countries, according to a BBC report.
At present, the U.S. has a blanket 25% tariff on all goods from Canada, except those covered under the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canadian energy and potash are taxed at a lower 10%, while a 25% levy remains in place on Canadian steel and aluminium, the report noted.
These tariffs could put more than one million workers at risk across critical sectors—including steel, aluminium, forestry, and public services—according to the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).
“These reckless and unjustified tariffs from President Trump are a direct attack on Canadian workers, our industries and our economy,” says Bea Bruske, CLC president. “Workers are watching. They want to know if their government has their back and is ready to fight for them. We need a plan to protect livelihoods, stabilize communities and stand up to the United States.”
Late in March, a number of companies started laying off workers as Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum products – and many more are expected to lose jobs.
Specifically, CLC and the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) want the federal government to:
- Invest in public healthcare and housing affordability.
- Crack down on corporate price gouging.
- Make corporations pay their fair share.
- Cut off U.S. access to key Canadian resources—such as electricity, lumber, critical minerals and oil and gas—until tariffs are lifted.
- Support communities through job protections and public service investments.
“This isn’t just an economic crisis, it’s a national emergency for workers and families,” says FTQ President Magali Picard. “We cannot allow our communities to shoulder the cost of a political game being played in the U.S. Canada’s unions are united. We are ready to fight—together—for the jobs, livelihoods and future of every worker in this country.”
Meanwhile, amid the tension, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is calling for cooperation among G7 countries.
“Continued escalation will harm the businesses, workers, and communities within each of our countries that depend on the benefits of international commerce and will also weaken the G7 at a time when the shared economic and geopolitical challenges we face call for greater cooperation,” says Candace Laing, president and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
“In this moment, the G7 governments should prioritize negotiation and cooperation, rather than unilateral action, to resolve these challenges. In particular, we urge the U.S. to work collaboratively with its G7 partners in seeking alternative pathways to its recent tariff measures targeting G7 countries.”
Tariffs ‘would affect millions’
With the announcement of new US tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledges that the tariffs would "directly affect millions,” according to BBC.
He vows that Canada will retaliate to tariffs issued by Trump soon, "with purpose and with force,” according to the report.
Carney was scheduled to meet with province and territory premiers this Thursday to lay down the specifics of the country’s response, according to the report. No details of that meeting are available as of writing of this story.
Previously, in a formal statement, Carney’s office confirmed that Canada will implement retaliatory tariffs in response to the latest U.S. trade measures. Previously, Carney announced his plans to create a $2-billion Strategic Response Fund that will boost the auto sector’s competitiveness and protect manufacturing jobs.
Here’s how Canadian political parties plan to address US tariffs.
