Tariff-related layoffs already hitting Canadian steelworkers

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A major Canadian steel producer has announced at least 140 tariff-related layoffs across Ontario and Quebec, as the United Steelworkers union calls on Ottawa to do more to support those impacted by U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, which kicked in Wednesday.  #canada #news #cbcnews   Watch The National live on YouTube starting at 9 p.m. ET  Subscribe to The National:  https://www.youtube.com/user/CBCTheNational?sub_confirmation=1  More from CBC News | https://www.cbc.ca/news  The National is the flagship of CBC News, showcasing award-winning journalism from across Canada and around the world. Led by Chief Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault and Ian Hanomansing, our team of trusted reporters helps you make sense of the world, wherever you are.

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00:00The trade war playing out on the world stage now a harsh reality for this small community.

00:08We are one of the cleanest steel producers in the world.

00:11Ivoco, the industrial pride of eastern Ontario

00:15announcing layoffs in the wake of 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum.

00:20There's a lot of worriness obviously on the shop floor and the people are concerned.

00:26According to the union, a combination of permanent and temporary layoffs will affect

00:30150 workers. That's about 30 percent of the workforce of the factory in the small village

00:37of Laurignal and people here are well aware this could be just the beginning.

00:42The tariffs change daily with the Trump administration so

00:46it's quite difficult to make plans around that kind of hostility.

00:52It's a serious blow to a community where most people earn a living at the steel plant

00:57or have a close connection to someone who does.

01:00They're one of the biggest employers. Ivoco also helps the other companies surrounding Ivoco.

01:10Those deep-rooted connections mean the impacts will be felt beyond the factory walls.

01:16There's a lot of truckers who depend on that place,

01:19a lot of restaurants you know all that stuff it's a downward effect.

01:23It's awful because the village is living with that.

01:28Then there's also the fear that what's happening here

01:31may be a sign of what's to come for the rest of the country.

01:34We can be certain that unfortunately more damage will be done.

01:40The national union that represents steel workers says government needs to step in

01:45not only to help those here but manufacturers across the country.

01:49There are 23,000 people employed directly in steel in Canada

01:55and a hundred thousand more in related industries

01:58and so there is a lot at stake if this escalates or drags on.

02:03Nicole Williams, CBC News, Laurignal, Ontario.

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