As of midnight on March 3, 2025, the United States implemented a 25% tariff on virtually all Canadian goods entering the country, with a 10% tariff on energy products. These tariffs will have a huge effect on thousands of Nova Scotia jobs and again we are calling for a immediate, collaborative provincial response, including labour representation.

We understand that these tariffs represents an unprecedented challenge to Nova Scotia’s economy and workforce. With thousands of workers employed in export-oriented industries, the ripple effects will be felt across our province. “These tariffs are not just numbers on paper, they represent an immediate threat to the livelihoods of thousands of Nova Scotian workers and their families,” says Danny Cavanagh, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

“Our province’s key export industries, including lumber, tires, seafood, Christmas trees, and paper products, now face a severe competitive disadvantage in their primary market.” The potential impact is staggering. With more than 75% of Canada’s exports destined for the United States, economic analyses indicate these blanket tariffs could cause hundreds of thousands of job losses here at home. Nova Scotia, with its export-dependent economy, stands to be disproportionately affected.

Provincial Response Must Include Worker Voices

While the federal government has announced dollar-for-dollar retaliatory measures and Nova Scotia has implemented initial countermeasures, including limiting American access to provincial procurement contracts, these actions alone are insufficient to protect workers. “The provincial government must immediately establish a Provincial Trade Response Table with meaningful representation from labour unions, Aboriginal communities, affected industries, and communities,” Cavanagh emphasizes. “We cannot have decisions about Nova Scotia jobs being made at tables where workers have no voice. This is not just about trade policy, it’s about families’ ability to pay rent, put food on the table, and survive this economic shock.”

The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour is calling for a comprehensive worker protection strategy that includes:

1. Immediate employment insurance extensions and modifications to protect workers in affected industries
2. Targeted support programs for the most vulnerable export sectors, including seafood processing, manufacturing, and forestry
3. Investment in worker retraining programs for those whose jobs may be permanently affected
4. Provincial subsidies to help employers maintain their workforce during this period of trade uncertainty
5. Establishment of a Nova Scotia worker protection fund to counteract the impacts of tariffs

“We are particularly concerned about workers in industries where transportation costs are already significant trade barriers,” said Cavanagh. “The combined effect of existing transportation challenges and new tariffs could be catastrophic for certain sectors if we don’t take immediate action.”

Provincial Trade Diversification Must Protect Jobs

While Premier Houston has correctly identified the need to “ramp up our focus on finding new markets here at home we need long-term strategies developed with worker protection as a central priority. “Trade diversification cannot come at the expense of workers’ immediate needs,” Cavanagh stated. “Any provincial initiatives must protect jobs and this means having workers involved in the decision-making processes.”

While diplomatic efforts to resolve this dispute must continue, the provincial government must act immediately to establish a Provincial Trade Response Table with strong worker representation. “The clock is ticking for Nova Scotia workers and every day without a coordinated provincial response with workers at the table means more uncertainty, more potential job losses, and more harm to our communities. The time for action is now,” Cavanagh concludes.