Customs prices: When Sault-Sainte-Marie turns her back on his namesake from Michigan

The tariff war with the United States has raised a real wind of patriotism across the country. To support their homeland, many Canadians have decided to boycott American products, a movement that has spread to the border cities. In Sault-Sainte-Marie, an important mining city in Ontario, worried and anxious residents claim that the taxation of customs duties has helped to weaken relations with their American neighbors.

Here, many residents feel obliged to turn their back on those whom they however considered as their amis On the other side of the border.

We were very good friends with the city of Sault Sainte-Marie in Michigan and [la guerre tarifaire] has changed the dynamics a lot. Now we don’t buy anything from the United Statessays Kenneth Ballstadt, resident of Sault-Sainte-Marie, Ontario, and retired worker from the Algoma Steel steel.

When you want to buy coffee, we make sure it is not made in the United States and it is terrible for our neighbors in Michigan and for ourselves.

Mr. Ballstadt and his son are both retired workers from local steelworks, Algoma Steel.

Since the beginning of June, steel and aluminum have been targets of American customs tariffs by 50 %, a situation that puts at risk many jobs and businesses in the sector – such as Algoma Steel – since more than half of the steel produced in Canada has been exported.

We feel betrayed.

A community worried about its economy

A climate of anxiety and anxiety took hold of residents of the municipality, worried about the financial stability of the city.

People do not buy cars, will not supper out of their house. They want to be sure they have money in the account if there is a loss of job or a reduction in the number of hours of work because of the uncertainty that comes from the United Statesspecifies Matthew Shoemaker, mayor of Sault-Sainte-Marie.

It’s not fair, it makes no sense […] We could see stores close their doors and general effects on the whole population herebelieves Paul Rice, another resident.

It is frightening and the most frightening is that we can do nothing about it. We can only sit down and see what is happening

The concern is all the more palpable within the steelworks, according to Dave Prendergast, which is used there.

It’s really worrying. I consult the news every night once at home. There are many rumors circulating in the mill. Everyone is worried.

Moreover, Bill Slater, president of the local section 2724 of the Metallos of Algoma Steel, stresses that the Directorate of the Steeliness provided for about 40 layoffs and launching, which would enter into force on July 21.

Some people have chosen to retire and others worked under contract. Their contracts have been terminated, so that they are not included in the list of layoffshe says.

These concerns are really foundedreports Jean-Thomas Bernard, auxiliary professor in the Department of Economic Sciences at the University of Ottawa.

There will be a loss of income. The youngest workers will move to integrate into another labor market, the others will become retired residents […]but it is not a way of launching economic activity [dans une ville]he explains.

Mr. Bernard observes that given the average size of the municipality, it will be difficult to easily recycler The jobs lost within the steelworks. The academic thinks that if nothing is done, the municipality could become like that of Elliot Lake, which has become the retirement destination for many after the closure of its uranium mines.

Retaliation measures that take too much time

Faced with the increase in customs tariffs on steel and aluminum, Ottawa plans to adjust its counter-tale on July 21, if no agreement is concluded with the United States by then.

Mark Carney has also planned anti -dumping measures on steel and aluminum to protect Canadian industry, but for the mayor and the president of the union, these reactions were late.

This answer has taken too long to arrive and its implementation will take even more. We needed an answer two weeks ago, no measures that will come into force in two weekssoulève M. Shoemaker.

All these things happen after our members were dismissed. [Ces mesures] Do not help people put food on their table.

The city is already working to diversify its economy, but recognizes that it will take more time and financial stability to implement its various projects.

Our university, our college, our health programs are all avenues that we can take to diversify the economy, but it takes time. We need the steelworks to generate a lot of income while planning this diversificationsays the mayor.

Mr. Bernard recognizes that this could work. However, he admits that the transition will take several yearsand therefore, don’t think it will be A way to get out of it quickly.

Negotiations between Canada and the United States are expected to expire on July 21.