Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on Trump’s tariff threat

“Donald Trump’s threat of a 25% tariff on Canadian products is a direct attack on workers. This poses a serious and immediate risk to Canadian jobs, livelihoods, and entire communities. This attack on our industries jeopardizes good, unionized jobs across vital sectors like manufacturing, mining, energy, and agriculture—jobs that are the backbone of our economy.

The damage from such tariffs will not stop at the workplace. Families will feel the economic strain, and entire communities will suffer as good jobs disappear and opportunities shrink. This is not just a trade issue; it’s about protecting the future of workers and their families.

The federal government must take this threat seriously and act quickly. Workers are demanding leadership that prioritizes their well-being. We need decisive action to safeguard jobs, defend industries, develop an industrial strategy, and prevent working families from bearing the brunt of reckless and unnecessary trade policies.

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for Canada and workers must be front and centre of any decision from the government.

Canada’s unions stand ready to fight alongside workers, unions, and communities to defend jobs and protect our shared future. In 2023, Canada imported 277 billion dollars from the United States. If the American government triggers a full-blown trade war, it’s workers on both sides of the border who will pay the price.

In the long term, the government must focus on a new industrial strategy for Canada to protect our workers from the whims of any US administration. 

We call on the government to send a clear message: we will not let our workers and industries become collateral damage, we will stand strong, act boldly, and prioritize Canadian workers.”