The effects of US tariffs on the local steel industry continue to be a topic in the federal election campaign.

Recently, Prescott-Russell-Cumberland Liberal candidate Giovanna Mingarelli told Ivaco Rolling Mills steelworkers that she will fight for Canadian-made steel and workers affected by Trump’s unfair tariffs.

The tariffs on Canadian steel being imported into the US from Canada total 50 per cent.

Mingarelli met with Ivaco President Stéphane Oehrli and some of the workers at the L’Orignal plant during a tour of the facility. They told her how devastating the steel tariffs have been on their business, families and the entire community. Almost 70 percent of Ivaco’s steel is sold in the U.S. 

The steelworkers said the uncertainty of what might happen next on tariffs means that it is nearly impossible to plan future business operations. As well, families fear that there will be more layoffs beyond the 140 already announced.

“As an entrepreneur that has lived and worked in the U.S., I understand firsthand the importance of Canada-U.S. relations. Unlike Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives who are in sync with Trump’s views, the Liberal Party will stand up to Trump, maximize the use of Canadian steel and defend Canadian workers,” Mingarelli said.

The candidate promised she will advocate on behalf of Ivaco’s steelworkers if elected as the new Member of Parliament for the district on April 28. She reiterated her party’s plan to protect workers, impose counter-tariffs, defend Canadian industry, and emphasise buying Canadian as much as possible. 

Before the election was called, the Liberal government amended the Employment Insurance (EI) process to ensure that payments flow faster, implemented dollar-for-dollar tariffs on U.S. goods, and began to remove barriers and red tape to increase interprovincial trade. 

In recent days, Mingarelli has been busy canvassing and meeting voters in all parts of the riding, including Hawkesbury, L’Orignal, Wendover, Rockland, Cumberland, Orléans and Embrun.

Poilievre visited Ivaco on March 17 before the election campaign began and also expressed his support for steelworkers affected by US tariffs.