AS TRUMP THREATENS 50 PER CENT TARIFF ON CANADIAN STEEL, BECK BULLISH ON MADE-IN-SASK MANUFACTURING

Strategy would see more Saskatchewan steel jobs, more Saskatchewan steel products and more Saskatchewan steel on public builds and contracts

MARTENSVILLE – Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck says we should be buying more Saskatchewan-made steel, building more steel products here at home and creating more steel jobs to build up the industry. Her calls come in response to newly announced tariffs that could amount to 50 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum.

“Of course, the best possible outcome is to have no tariffs at all,” Beck said. “Our economies are so integrated, and tariffs will hurt industries and jobs on both sides of the border. But we must also be realistic -- our economy is being held hostage by Donald Trump.

“My focus is on a future where we protect Saskatchewan jobs and livelihoods – the best way we can do that is by investing in our steel industry here at home. That means more projects built with Sask-made steel.”

On Monday, President Trump announced that the United States would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from Canada. The White House later clarified that this tariff would be cumulative to the others already announced, amounting to a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum.

The move marks an escalation from his 2018 tariff, which had stated exceptions and exemptions. New tariffs threaten the integrated North American supply chain and put at risk current contracts and jobs on both sides of the border. Saskatchewan exported $374 million in steel products to the United States in 2023.

Beck has continued to call for prioritizing Saskatchewan workers and businesses for public contracts and builds, investing Saskatchewan tax dollars back into Saskatchewan communities.

“All levels of governments are asking Canadians to buy local, and I think that our elected leaders need to lead the way,” Beck said. “We should be using Saskatchewan-steel and Saskatchewan-manufacturing when building our projects here at home.

“I want to create more steel jobs here in Saskatchewan. I want to be building more Sask-made steel products. The best way to do that is to grow our industry by investing our tax dollars into Saskatchewan’s economy by hiring Saskatchewan.”

Erika Ritchie, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for SaskBuilds & Procurement, said too many Saskatchewan government contracts go to American companies when local companies could be chosen.

“That means those dollaras are leaving the province rather than getting reinvested back into our economy,” Ritchie said. “When we’re investing and supporting Saskatchewan manufacturing and Saskatchewan jobs, there’s a multiplying effect.

“Workers invest in their communities, buy a house here and put down roots.”

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