Latest news with #MartyWarren
Edmonton Journal
17 hours ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Ottawa commits to prioritizing domestic aluminum and steel for defence, infrastructure projects
Article content That tariff increase is set to go into effect on Wednesday. The United Steelworkers union welcomed Joly's announcement Monday. The union's national director, Marty Warren, said in a media statement the organization has 'consistently called for strong Buy Canadian policies to protect good jobs and rebuild domestic supply chains, especially in the face of a worsening trade war and unfair global competition.' Warren said his organization will be watching to ensure the federal government follows through on its promise to use Canadian metals. 'That means clear, enforceable rules that actually prioritize Canadian-made materials — starting with steel and aluminum, but also including wood, critical minerals and other key sectors. This must be the beginning, not the end, of a broader industrial strategy that supports Canadian jobs and production,' he said.
National Post
17 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
Ottawa commits to prioritizing domestic aluminum and steel for defence, infrastructure projects
Ottawa is committed to using Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defence projects as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to impose more tariffs, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Sunday. Article content After meeting with aluminum industry leaders at a summit in Montreal, Joly said the government is waiting to see if Trump follows through on his threat to increase steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 per cent through an executive order. Article content The United Steelworkers union welcomed Joly's announcement Monday. Article content The union's national director, Marty Warren, said in a media statement the organization has 'consistently called for strong Buy Canadian policies to protect good jobs and rebuild domestic supply chains, especially in the face of a worsening trade war and unfair global competition.' Article content Warren said his organization will be watching to ensure the federal government follows through on its promise to use Canadian metals. Article content 'That means clear, enforceable rules that actually prioritize Canadian-made materials — starting with steel and aluminum, but also including wood, critical minerals and other key sectors. This must be the beginning, not the end, of a broader industrial strategy that supports Canadian jobs and production,' he said. Article content The Liberals campaigned in the recent election on 'maximizing' the use of Canadian steel, aluminum and forestry products in public projects. Article content Article content In March, Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States. Canada is the largest steel supplier to the United States, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of all imports in 2023. Article content Article content The tariffs are putting strain on Canadian metal producers and others throughout the metals supply chain. Article content Last week, aluminum trader Sinobec Group Inc. filed for creditor protection, blaming the tariffs — as well as the wider political landscape and a weak market — for its financial troubles. Article content The Montreal-based company with about 76 staff said in its creditor filing that the economic pressures and global tariffs contributed to it being unable to raise debt financing to fund a turnaround. Article content David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and a specialist in defence procurement, said Joly's plan is 'definitely a worthwhile initiative' but it comes with risk. Article content Article content Introducing a Buy Canadian element to military procurement without introducing 'additional inefficiencies in our procurement system, at a time when the government also campaigned on making it more efficient and streamlined, is going to be the real trick.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
USW: Trump's 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum are a direct attack on Canadian jobs — Ottawa must act now
TORONTO, May 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United Steelworkers union (USW) is warning that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to double tariffs on both steel and aluminum to 50% is a devastating blow to Canada's industries and the hundreds of thousands of jobs they support – one that demands an immediate and forceful response from the federal government. 'A 50% tariff would completely shut us out of the U.S. market,' said Marty Warren, United Steelworkers National Director for Canada. 'This isn't trade policy – it's a direct attack on Canadian industries and workers. Thousands of Canadian jobs are on the line and communities that rely on steel and aluminum are being put at risk. Canada needs to respond immediately and decisively to defend workers.' The tariffs, announced by Trump on Friday and confirmed on social media, will take effect on Wednesday, June 4. With no exemption for Canada, these measures severely further disrupt integrated North American supply chains and threaten tens of thousands of good union jobs, both directly and indirectly, in sectors like manufacturing, auto, defense, aerospace, and construction. Canada is the United States' largest supplier of steel and aluminum. 'Workers in Canada's steel and aluminum industries have already been hit hard by months of uncertainty. Now their livelihoods are being threatened again,' Warren added. 'We need more than statements. We need concrete action — and we need it now.' The USW is urging the federal government to act without delay to keep workers working. The top priority must be expanding the use of Section 53 of the Customs Tariff and apply targeted countermeasures to protect the Canadian market from offshore steel. The government must also eliminate the exemptions that allow U.S. steel and aluminum to enter Canada tariff-free. If the United States is closing its market to Canadian producers, Ottawa must ensure Canadian producers are not undercut in their own. At the same time, the federal government must move quickly to strengthen domestic demand through industrial investment and domestic procurement reform. Requiring Canadian-made steel and aluminum in all publicly funded infrastructure projects is a necessary step to support local jobs and build long-term resilience. Introducing a made-in-Canada tax credit would further incentivize the use of domestic materials by private industry. The government must also be prepared to support affected workers through a reform of Employment Insurance and a wage subsidy program with jobs guarantees to help retain skilled workers. 'Canadians expect their government to defend working people – not stand by while entire industries are pushed out of global markets,' concluded Warren. About the United Steelworkers unionThe USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the union's strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions. For more information, please contact:Shannon Devine, USW Communications, sdevine@ 416-938-4402Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
USW: Trump's 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum are a direct attack on Canadian jobs — Ottawa must act now
TORONTO, May 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United Steelworkers union (USW) is warning that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to double tariffs on both steel and aluminum to 50% is a devastating blow to Canada's industries and the hundreds of thousands of jobs they support – one that demands an immediate and forceful response from the federal government. 'A 50% tariff would completely shut us out of the U.S. market,' said Marty Warren, United Steelworkers National Director for Canada. 'This isn't trade policy – it's a direct attack on Canadian industries and workers. Thousands of Canadian jobs are on the line and communities that rely on steel and aluminum are being put at risk. Canada needs to respond immediately and decisively to defend workers.' The tariffs, announced by Trump on Friday and confirmed on social media, will take effect on Wednesday, June 4. With no exemption for Canada, these measures severely further disrupt integrated North American supply chains and threaten tens of thousands of good union jobs, both directly and indirectly, in sectors like manufacturing, auto, defense, aerospace, and construction. Canada is the United States' largest supplier of steel and aluminum. 'Workers in Canada's steel and aluminum industries have already been hit hard by months of uncertainty. Now their livelihoods are being threatened again,' Warren added. 'We need more than statements. We need concrete action — and we need it now.' The USW is urging the federal government to act without delay to keep workers working. The top priority must be expanding the use of Section 53 of the Customs Tariff and apply targeted countermeasures to protect the Canadian market from offshore steel. The government must also eliminate the exemptions that allow U.S. steel and aluminum to enter Canada tariff-free. If the United States is closing its market to Canadian producers, Ottawa must ensure Canadian producers are not undercut in their own. At the same time, the federal government must move quickly to strengthen domestic demand through industrial investment and domestic procurement reform. Requiring Canadian-made steel and aluminum in all publicly funded infrastructure projects is a necessary step to support local jobs and build long-term resilience. Introducing a made-in-Canada tax credit would further incentivize the use of domestic materials by private industry. The government must also be prepared to support affected workers through a reform of Employment Insurance and a wage subsidy program with jobs guarantees to help retain skilled workers. 'Canadians expect their government to defend working people – not stand by while entire industries are pushed out of global markets,' concluded Warren. About the United Steelworkers unionThe USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the union's strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions. For more information, please contact:Shannon Devine, USW Communications, sdevine@ 416-938-4402
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Steelworkers Humanity Fund donates $20,000 to support wildfire relief efforts in Manitoba
TORONTO, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating $20,000 to support people and communities evacuated due to the recent wildfires in Manitoba. Yesterday, the Manitoba government declared a province-wide state of emergency amid reports of an intensification of the wildfires that have been raging for weeks now. More than 17,000 residents of northern and eastern Manitoba, including the First Nations communities of Pimicikimak and Mathias Colomb and the city of Flin Flon, were ordered to evacuate, in what Premier Wab Kinew described as 'the largest evacuation in many Manitobans' living memory.' Many United Steelworkers (USW) union members in the area have been affected by the evacuation order, including almost all members of USW Locals 7106 and 9338 in Flin Flon. USW Local 7499 members in southeastern Manitoba (Lac du Bonnet) have been forced off work at the local mine for two weeks due to the presence of a nearby fire. The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is responding to the appeal sent by the Canadian Red Cross with a $20,000 donation to support local authorities in assisting those affected by the wildfires with immediate and ongoing relief, including financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, as well as recovery and resilience efforts. 'The Steelworkers Humanity Fund stands in solidarity with the communities affected by the devastating wildfires in Manitoba,' said Marty Warren, SHF President and USW National Director. 'Through our donation to the Canadian Red Cross, we're helping to ensure that immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts reach those who need it most, including our members and their communities. We are proud to support the vital work being done on the ground during this challenging time,' Warren said. Anyone wishing to donate can visit the Red Cross 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal website. Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries but also supports Canadian communities. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases, employers make matching contributions to the fund. For further information: Marty Warren, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951Guillaume Charbonneau, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5944, gcharbonneau@ St. Pierre, USW Communications, 647-522-1630, dstpierre@ in to access your portfolio
