Steel and aluminum tariffs and rural crime

The United States has hit Canada with a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a ten percent tariff on imported aluminum.

These tariffs have been coming for a long time. The threat to our steel and aluminum industries has been looming for over a year. Despite the Prime Minister’s reassurances to workers across the country just two months ago, he failed to take action to protect the affected industries from the consequences of the tariffs. In fact, despite our warnings to the government, the last federal budget included no measures to prepare the steel and aluminum industries for this trade crisis.

This is yet another blow to the Canadian economy. We have already seen billions in foreign investments leave our country under this Liberal government as a result of their disastrous approach to our Canadian energy sector.

A trade war isn’t good for anyone. These tariffs can have far-reaching consequences. Many products that we use every day could go up in price, which means less money in all of our wallets. This government needs to make sure that the situation doesn’t degenerate any further, and that no further tariffs are applied to Canadian goods. We need responsible leadership and on this very serious issue.

My Opposition colleagues and I will hold this government to account as the situation unfolds. These tariffs are a devastating threat to the workers who rely on the steel and aluminum industries to put food on the table for their families. We continue to stand with them and the entire industry.

Another matter we have been dealing with on Parliament Hill over the past few weeks is rural crime. As many of you know, our riding has been affected by a growing rural crime crisis.

This issue has become a very serious problem. I have heard from so many of you who have suffered break-ins, property theft, and threats. In many cases, the RCMP is simply stretched too thin across vast rural areas to respond promptly.

That’s why my colleague Shannon Stubbs, MP for Lakeland, introduced Motion 167. On May 30th, the motion was passed with all-party support in the House of Commons. M-167 aims to take real steps toward addressing rural crime. It calls on the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to undertake a study on rural crime. The committee will conduct a national assessment of crime rates and an analysis of RCMP resources. This will hopefully help identify a tangible solution to this growing problem. I was proud to vote in support of this Motion.

I can be reached in Ottawa at martin.shields@parl.gc.ca. My Brooks office can be reached at 403-793-6775 or martin.shields.c1@parl.gc.ca, and my Strathmore office at 403-361-2980 or martin.shields.c1B@parl.gc.ca. Please don’t hesitate to contact me about any federal issue.martin shields Column – Steel and aluminum tariffs and rural crime

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About the author

Martin Shields

Martin Shields

Martin Shields is the Member of Parliament for the Bow River riding, Alberta. Martin has been living in Brooks with his family for 38 years and is committed to the success and quality of the community. Martin serves as Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party’s Alberta Caucus, and as a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development.


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