As trade unionists, we know what it takes to win at the negotiating table against a powerful counterpart. It takes strength, clarity, unity. It means knowing your bottom line, understanding your leverage and being prepared to use it. Sometimes it means not being afraid to walk away from a bad deal, and that’s our message to the entire Canadian negotiating team.

Canadian workers need a deal that protects good jobs, strengthens our economy and delivers real stability for workers and communities. Canada must be prepared to hold firm on our interests and our red lines, while also having a clear plan to support workers and communities if tariffs come into effect.

We stand with Team Canada as it works toward a strong and fair agreement that benefits workers on both sides of the border. As these negotiations enter a critical stage, now is the time to stay united and make sure that whatever comes next delivers for workers.

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613-526-7426 

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Donald Trump’s threat of 50% tariffs is a direct attack on Canadian workers, our industries, and our economy. The Prime Minister should recall Parliament to pass emergency measures that protect Canadian jobs, support affected workers and industries, and respond with the full strength of Canada’s economic tools.

Canadians know one thing about dealing with bullies: they don’t back down when you give in. They back down when you stand up. We need to restore Canada’s counter-tariffs and introduce export taxes on products the United States desperately depends on, including energy, lumber, potash, and critical minerals. Every dollar raised from these measures should go towards taking care of workers and communities being targeted by Trump.

Canada cannot blink in the face of this threat. We have to fight back. And win.

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To arrange an interview, please contact: 
CLC Media Relations 
media@clcctc.ca 
613-526-7426 

The post Bruske: It’s time to fight back appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Earlier today, the American government reversed the highly contentious tariffs just hours before the Canadian government was set to impose its own retaliatory actions. Those actions would have had significant repercussions in the U.S. and would have impacted jobs.

“The American government had no business imposing these tariffs to begin with. Canadian workers cannot be used as pawns in a political fight that has nothing to do with them,” said Hassan Yussuff, president of the Canadian Labour Congress. “The federal government should be commended for its strong defence of Canadian industry and for its ongoing resolve in defending workers.”

The American government had imposed the 10% tariff on aluminum in August. This came just months after it had lifted previously imposed tariffs following the ratification of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement and which Canada’s unions fought for over a year to have removed.

“We’ll continue to monitor the situation and urge the federal government to continue defending these vital Canadian industries and the hundreds of thousands of workers who rely on them,” said Yussuff.

To arrange an interview, please contact:

CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Canada’s unions applaud cancellation of U.S. tariffs appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.