QUESTION PERIOD — International Trade
Trade Tariffs
June 26, 2025
Senator Gold, Canada’s steel industry is in crisis. With U.S. tariffs now doubled to 50%, production is falling and more Canadian workers are at risk of being laid off. Yet the government’s response — a delayed countertariff plan tied to uncertain trade talks — has been described by industry leaders as falling short.
Back in March, under threat of these very tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government was made to meet the moment. If that’s true, why isn’t he meeting the moment for Canada’s steel industry? Why isn’t he stepping up with the swift support and trade measures other workers urgently need?
Thank you for your question and for underlining the challenges that workers in the steel industry and so many other workers and industries are facing, given the tariffs that have been unjustly imposed and the uncertainty that remains with regard to how these issues will ultimately be resolved.
This government is working very diligently, carefully and regularly to address all of these issues, including lifting the tariffs and making sure that the proper supports are put in place to help our industries.
A day does not go by when the Prime Minister and his ministers are not engaged on this file. They will continue to be, and we hope that the situation will stabilize and improve for the benefit of Canadian workers, companies and families.
I can tell you that this government isn’t working very effectively for steel workers. When the Prime Minister dismissively asked last January, “How much steel are you using?” steel workers and Canadians heard something else.
It is a $15-billion industry with 12 million tonnes of annual production, 23,000 direct jobs and 100,000 more that depend on it. It has vital plants in places like Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie.
Will the government now show it truly understands what is at stake, act immediately with countertariffs on the U.S. and block the dumping of steel in Canada by repeated trade offenders?
The Prime Minister has been very clear on all of these issues.
He’s also been clear that the path forward, whether it’s in terms of increasing our defence investments or the building of national projects, is to ensure that Canadian businesses and manufacturers, including those in the steel and aluminum sectors, are fully utilized to support the growth of our economy and our defences.
