Singh says every dime of retaliatory tariffs must go directly to workers hurt by the trade war

TORONTO—If President Donald Trump forces Canada to levy retaliatory fines, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says he will deliver every dime Canada collects directly into the hands of workers—the people who will pay the highest price for the trade war.

“If I am prime minister, I’ll fight like hell for Canadian jobs and to stop prices from climbing even higher. The stronger our response to the Trump Tax, the shorter the trade war will be,” said Singh. “Every hour of a trade war, workers will be hurt – they will lose their jobs and they will pay even higher prices. That’s why I’m committing to give every last dime we collect from tariffs directly to workers in the form of a better, stronger Employment Insurance system and investment to create good union paying jobs by building what we need here. ”

On Monday, Trump signaled 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports could be coming February 1. In the face of this tariff threat, Singh has committed to retaliatory tariffs and choking off the supply of critical minerals America counts on for industries like electric vehicle manufacturing.

"Canada is a country where we take care of our neighbours, and we believe in kindness and fairness. But Trump should not confuse our kindness for weakness,” said Singh. “I’m calling on all leaders and candidates for prime minister to commit to the same strong retaliatory actions I’m willing to take to stop the Trump Tax, and the same supports for everyday working Canadians.

“The fact is, Trump and Elon Musk have been shilling for Pierre Poilievre because they are billionaires that know they'll get everything they want from him. Proving that, Poilievre accepted Musk's endorsement by praising him. He praised the guy who taunts Canada about becoming the 51st state. Canadians cannot trust Poilievre and the Conservatives to play for the right team in a trade war.”

Singh and the NDP have also called for investment to build more of what Canada needs and create good union paying jobs; a strong plan to fight back against Trump’s tariffs, work to diversify trade partners; and hiring thousands of border officers after the last Conservative government, with Poilievre in cabinet, cut 1,100 border officers.