Canada is an economic powerhouse and a hub for innovative manufacturing.
Our thriving partnership with the United States has unraveled quickly. What started as one-sided name-calling is now a full-blown trade war.
Tariffs are a threat to jobs and prosperity on both sides of the border. It is clear that the U.S. administration doesn’t care how many people suffer, so Canadians need to adapt quickly to a new reality.
Canadians will face challenges over the months ahead, but we won’t give up.
THE AMERICANS ARE
UNDERESTIMATING US.
Our businesses are strong. Our workers are strong. Our communities are strong.
Together, we are are:
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
In the face of American tariffs, Canada’s steel industry needs public support. Canada’s steel industry is tens of thousands of workers, supporting their families, working at hundreds of companies that are the backbone of Canadian construction and manufacturing.
Our sector is strong, but with public support for these goals, Canadians can show we are as Strong as Steel.
What do we want?
An End to the Tariff Seesaw
We need governments on both sides of the border to work together to bring back the efficient, productive trade of steel products that made Canada and the U.S.A. economic powerhouses for decades.
Protection from Foreign Dumping
Canada must not be a transit point for foreign steel to get into the U.S.A. and we must not be a target for international dumping of cheap steel into our domestic market. The Canadian steel sector produces clean, ethical product. Governments can’t allow us to be undercut domestically.
A Plan to Diversify Trade
We need Canadian politicians to work to find new trading opportunities for inputs and finished products that will make our industry stronger and less vulnerable in the coming years.
Investments to Maintain Growth
Governments in Canada need to work together to ensure that Canadian steel products are prioritized in public procurement. If the market dips from Trump’s tariffs, we need commitments to keep the industry going.
Wondering how you can help?
1. Send a letter to your political leaders.
2. Share a message of support on social media
3. Download our social banners and frames for your platforms
4.Thank a steelworker or ironworker in your community
SEND A LETTER
Tell your elected officials that the Canadian Steel sector needs public support!
Send this pre-written letter that shows support for Canadian steel. Together we are as Strong as Steel!
FREE TRADE BENEFITS EVERYONE
Canadians and Americans alike have benefitted from our trading relationship for decades. Now, our shared prosperity is in jeopardy.
Over recent decades, Canada, the United States, and Mexico have built the largest and most successful trading block in history. Quality of life has increased all three partner nations while more goods and services are accessible to a greater portion of our populations. This trading relationship has been the envy of the world, making our countries stronger within our borders and beyond.
PUSHING FOR A RESOLUTION
It has been estimated that President Trump’s tariff plan will raise the cost of living by $3,000 per U.S. household annually. Families on both sides of the border will suffer, and our shared supply chains and businesses will be put under unnecessary stress. Both countries are still dealing with the effects of higher inflation and affordability crises, and urgent action is needed to avoid more pain and hardship.
We need elected officials on both sides of the border to keep up the pressure on President Trump to end this. Once and for all.
PROTECTING OUR INDUSTRY
In Canada, and other affected trading partners, tariffs will mean job losses and business shut down. Shutdowns in the steel sector in particular would jeopardize Canada’s ability to recover quickly. Workers would be unemployed and find jobs elsewhere, apprentices would choose different skilled trades, and contractors would look elsewhere for to source steel products.
We need a plan that helps workers and families in the short-term, lets businesses weather the storm in the mid-term, and that ensures our critical steel sector comes out stronger over the long-term.
FINDING NEW MARKETS AND PARTNERS
Canada needs to urgently identify new trading partners and markets that would benefit from Canadian steel. This important work will take time.
Over the years ahead, Canada will have to work with dozens, perhaps hundreds of allies and supportive partners to ensure we never end up in this situation again. Robust and diverse trading relationships with a high demand for our steel will benefit Canadian businesses, communities, workers and families for many decades. We need leaders to prioritize making new markets work for these products.
What can the government do?
Canada needs to stop dumping of steel products from other countries like China.
We need business and worker supports when projects slow and production lines shut down to ensure continuity for our sector.
Governments providing stimulus must ensure all publicly funded projects are built using Canadian steel whenever possible.
Stop countries with unfair labour practices or environmentally damaging production processes from being eligible for bids on Canadian projects.
Supporting workers to guarantee that they do not leave the sector for other jobs, and then do not return to roles in the steel sector once demand increases.