Mike Schreiner responds to Trump tariffs

January 31, 2025

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens Leader Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to news that the Trump administration plans to introduce 25 percent tariffs on Canada starting February 1.

“In the face of these tariffs, we need a team Ontario approach that puts people before partisan politics to protect Ontario jobs, workers and companies. With his irresponsible snap election call, the Premier has abandoned people and put his own job before Ontarians’ jobs.

As we work to protect and support the businesses and jobs most at-risk from tariffs, we need to respond forcefully to defend Ontario, invest in local supply chains, and aggressively diversify trade partners.

To respond to Trump’s tariff threats and protect Ontario jobs, Greens would:

• Immediately create a ‘tariff taskforce’ that works across party, jurisdictional and sectoral lines to defend Ontario workers, jobs and companies in trade negotiations;
• Create an investment tax credit to unlock business investments in Ontario;
• Develop a “Buy Ontario” strategy and implement public procurement rules that support Ontario businesses;
• Create a Protect Ontario Fund for businesses disproportionately impacted by tariffs and make the investments needed to build new supply chains;
• Immediately move to aggressively diversify our trade partners; and
• Work with other provinces to remove interprovincial trade barriers.”

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