Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre let Ivaco Rolling Mills workers know they have his support when he visited the steel manufacturer on Monday, March 17.
Poilievre was at the steel mill to announce that a Conservative government would fully eliminate the industrial carbon tax if the party wins the next federal election. However, by making the announcement at Ivaco, Poilievre clearly wanted to make a statement about the tariffs totaling 50 per cent the Trump administration has imposed on Canadian-made steel being imported into the United States. The tariffs have led to 47 permanent layoffs at Ivaco, comprising one-third of the permanent layoffs being made by Canada Metal Processing Group (MPG) of the Heico Companies at its three locations. An additional 150 Ivaco employees were also placed on furlough temporarily.
“Stop attacking the friends of the USA,” Poilievre said to Trump.
He called the US administration’s actions against Canada “unjustifiable.”
“Our hearts are with you. I know this is a very stressful time,” Poilievre said to Ivaco employees, many of whom were gathered around him for the carbon tax announcement.
“We will fight for your jobs and make the supports are there,” he pledged.
Again focusing his comments on Trump, he asked; “Why would you go after these people? These are great, Canadian people.”
“Stop the tariffs, stop the chaos,” Poilievre demanded.
