Tariffs could cost Quebecers 160,000 jobs, Legault says
Quebec Premier François Legault is set to address Quebec's response to the United States tariffs on Canadian goods that came into effect at midnight and are expected to hit hard for the province's metals and manufacturing industries.
The blanket tariffs, set at 25 per cent, apply to all Canadian goods exported to the U.S. Legault estimates the measure will cost Quebecers around 160,000 jobs over a few months, he told Radio-Canada's Patrice Roy Monday evening before the tariff deadline.
He said relief measures will include a liquidity program aimed at businesses affected by the tariffs to support them in the short-term. The CAQ government also wants to stimulate diversification efforts by increasing available funds at Investissement Québec in its upcoming budget.
"We must absolutely redraw Quebec's economy," he said.
In terms of counter-measures, Legault said he's not excluding anything given the magnitude of the tariff war Canada now finds itself in.
"We have to be able to make Mr. Trump pay for decisions that make no sense, even for Americans," he said.
WATCH | These are some of the ways tariffs could impact Quebec:
Can Quebec afford a tariff battle?
4 days ago
Duration 2:40
Nearly eight per cent of Quebec's output is directly linked to U.S. exports. Despite the province's projected $11-billion deficit, experts say Premier François Legault's government has funds set aside for emergencies like this. But they say the province might need to be more surgical in its response.
He says what will "hurt" Trump is applying taxes or holding back products like oil, aluminum, electricity and wood, though he didn't say at what point in the tariff war he would consider moving forward with those ideas.
The premier is expected to have a virtual meeting with ministers before holding a news conference at 1 p.m. in Montreal with Quebec Minister of the Economy Christine Fréchette. The country's premiers are then expected to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at 2 p.m
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