Without the domestic capacity, this new measure will instead drive up costs, delay critical infrastructure, and undermine the clean energy transition.
By Vittoria Bellissimo and Fernando Melo
A well-intentioned tariff policy is about to create serious problems. Renewable energy projects worth billions of dollars are at risk. Indigenous and local communities could lose major economic opportunities. And building the electricity infrastructure Canada needs will become significantly more expensive.
On Nov. 26, the federal government announced a sweeping 25-per-cent tariff on imported wind towers and other steel-based products. The goal is to strengthen domestic manufacturing in response to United States trade pressure.
But without the domestic capacity, this tariff will instead drive up costs, delay critical infrastructure, and undermine the clean energy transition Canada needs to remain competitive.
Canada can be its own best customer, but not by kneecapping the industries trying to build our energy future. This tariff won’t put Canadians back to work, and it won’t create new jobs. Read more.