Hundreds of Canadian workers have already been fired from steel factories as President Trump's tariffs narrow the industry.
At least 200 members of United Steelworkers, the largest private sector union in North America, have previously lost employment, according to Marty Warren, the group's national director. United Steelworkers has over 225,000 members in Canada.
And Canadian businesses weren't shy to hold them accountable for Trump's strict tariffs. This is the 25% collection charged on all steel and aluminum imports on March 12th.
For example, the Canadian Metalworking Group announced that it would cut 140 production and office workforce due to the threat of tariffs from the US on steel and steel derivatives. Press release on February 24th Before taxes come into effect.
Workforce cuts are a combination of permanent layoffs, temporary layoffs, work share and retirement, a spokesman told Reuters. The company is frozen employment for new vacant roles.
The company also said it would take cost-cutting measures and cancel or suspend some projects.
Ontario-based Algoma Steel has also fired about 20 workers, allowing more workers to be unlocked, CEO Michael Garcia told Reuters.
Warren said he expects a “tide wave” of layoffs will continue next week once Trump's 30-day suspension ends with further tariffs in Canada and Mexico, as well as mutual taxes.
Tensions brewed between the US and Canada, the largest steel supplier in the United States, as Trump aimed for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and sought a social media post and called for its north neighbours to become the 51st state.
The president earlier this week showed that earlier this week there could be a more targeted approach to the April 2 tariffs.
“I might take a break from many countries,” Trump told reporters on Monday in his oval office.
However, it remains to be seen whether he will advance the taxation of the enormous committees that were initially threatened against Canada and Mexico.
Incoming tariffs “will affect probably 100,000 members,” Warren said.
Shredder operator Scott Noseworthy, who has worked for four years at the Canadian Metalworking Group factory in eastern Ontario, told Reuters that Trump's tariffs “stricken us and stopped us.”
He is scheduled to return to work this week, but only for maintenance and cleanup work. It is unclear if he will be able to return to his role after these tasks are finished.
“It's busy. I don't know if you'll work for a week the next week,” Noseworthy said.
Sold earlier this month, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced measures to help steel and aluminum workers recover, like jobs that provide benefits to employees who have had earlier access to employment insurance and reduced time.
But industry giants have sought more action, including insurance reforms that will allow fired workers to access it for longer.
“It is impossible to predict how long these actions will be by the US at this point, but the Canadian government must be prepared to respond promptly to protect the long-term viability of Canadian steel product manufacturers and the collective employment safety of employees.”
With post wire
