Urgent Concerns: Regina MP Warns of Job Losses Due to New U.S. Tariffs on Steel

With U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum taking effect this week, Conservative MP for Regina-Wascana Michael Kram is raising alarms about the potential job losses in Regina. Kram emphasized that hundreds of workers, along with many in related industries, rely heavily on the Evraz North America steel plant located in the Queen City.

“For many families in Regina, this fight just got personal,” Kram stated. He pointed out that these tariffs are not merely headlines; they have real and negative effects on the community, particularly affecting the steelworkers at Evraz North America.

Kram expressed concerns about the uncertainty the tariffs create, especially since much of Evraz's production is exported to the U.S. He stated, “If there is a 25-per-cent tariff, or a 50-per-cent tariff... it does create a tremendous amount of uncertainty at Evraz.”

He warned that if layoffs occur due to the trade war, it would lead to significant suffering in the community. “It would be very bad,” he said, noting that many families depend on Evraz for their livelihoods.

Kram believes that the trade war with the U.S. is likely to escalate further, describing the current situation as potentially the “new normal.” He proposed that a Conservative government would take actions to support the workers and industries most affected by the tariffs, advocating for the revenues generated from tariffs to be used for lowering taxes for Canadians.

Additionally, Kram emphasized the importance of building pipelines in Canada, which would increase steel demand and generate revenue for the energy sector. He stated, “Getting pipelines built has to be a new priority for the Conservative government.”

Lastly, Kram highlighted that the most significant action to alleviate the harm caused by the tariffs would be to cancel the federal carbon tax. He stressed the need for immediate action to mitigate the harmful effects on local jobs and industries.