The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour says the tariffs represent an unprecedented challenge to the province’s workforce.
In a media statement, federation president Danny Cavanagh says Nova Scotia has thousands of workers employed in export-oriented industries, including lumber, seafood, Christmas trees, paper products and tires from three Michelin plants.
Those industries now face a severe competitive disadvantage in the U.S. market, he says, adding that the Nova Scotia government should provide employment insurance extensions, support programs for vulnerable exporters and provincial subsidies to help employers protect jobs if there is a prolonged economic downturn.
“These tariffs are not just numbers on paper; they represent an immediate threat to the livelihoods of thousands of Nova Scotian workers and their families,” Cavanagh says.
9:56 a.m.
Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), says in a media statement that provinces and territories urgently need to work together to remove interprovincial trade barriers.
He calls on the federal government to recall Parliament and says the tariff money it collects should be returned to affected businesses.
Kelly also says he wants the government to pass legislation to ensure carbon tax rebates are tax-free, to increase the lifetime capital gains exemption threshold to $1.25M and to ensure the promised Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive stays in place.