Laval, QC, March 12, 2025 – Teamsters Canada is urging the federal government to ensure workers impacted by Trump tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum receive adequate emergency support. Ottawa is said to be planning “pandemic-level” tariff relief.

The union is calling on the government to tie financial supports directly to employment levels, rather than providing companies with an unrestricted blank cheque. Companies should only receive assistance if they can effectively prevent layoffs.

Moreover, the union is calling on the government to cap executive compensation and shareholder payouts for companies that accept federal support.

“To state the obvious, trade wars hurt both companies and workers. But too often, the help given to companies doesn’t trickle down to workers,” said François Laporte, President of Teamsters Canada. “We need solutions that keep people working, not handouts that disappear into executive bonuses and shareholder payouts. Tying support directly to employment levels is one way to ensure relief reaches the people who need it most, while keeping companies afloat.”

The Teamsters represent thousands of workers who could be impacted by these tariffs, including those in steel product manufacturing and downstream industries such as transportation and recycling.

The union warns that tariffs will impact Canadian jobs while dramatically increasing costs for American consumers. The U.S. is already at maximum steel and aluminum output, and building new plants would take years and cost billions. “There are no winners, on either side of the border,” added Laporte.

In British Columbia, Teamsters Local Union 213 represents approximately 200 workers at Tree Island Steel. The unionized company has provided stable, good-paying jobs for decades.

“I started out on the floor at Tree Island Steel. Unionized companies like these give working families a chance to really prosper,” said Tony Santavenere, President of Teamsters Local Union 213. “You can get hired there in your twenties, build a career, raise a family, and retire with dignity. The trade war won’t last forever, but we can’t let workers get left behind while billions pour into corporate pockets.”

Teamsters Canada represents close to 135,000 workers in Canada in all industries from coast to coast.

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Media requests:
Christopher Monette
Director of Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell. : 514-226-6002 
[email protected]