Feds’ tariff relief plan faces criticism
The federal government has so far exempted 50 Canadian companies from surtaxes imposed last summer when Ottawa slapped retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum imports, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Tuesday as he faced pointed questions about his relief plan from political opponents. Morneau provided the figure before a parliamentary committee, where opposition MPs accused the government of being too slow in helping Canadian firms affected by the cross-border tariff fight.
Members of the international trade committee also said Ottawa’s remission request process has been too onerous for many companies, particularly smaller ones already consumed by the day-to-day activities of running their businesses.
“You said in your statement that we’re doing everything possible, but I have to be frank that we’ve heard quite the opposite here,” said New Democrat MP Tracey Ramsey.
“From the witnesses at this committee, we’ve heard of the dire consequences of these tariffs and the government’s failure to get that support directly to people on the ground. Businesses are talking about laying off people.” Conservative MP Dean Allison said he’s heard from many businesses caught in the crossfire that are worried the financial relief isn’t arriving quickly enough. “I can assure you that that money cannot get out the door soon enough in order to keep these companies viable over the long term,” Allison told Morneau.
The finance minister, who said 135 companies have submitted remission requests, agreed he would like to see the relief money flow faster - but he stressed there’s a process that must be followed.
“This is pretty unprecedented. We aren’t in a situation where there’s a play book,” Morneau said. “And we certainly hope it goes away quickly.”
In July, Ottawa applied retaliatory tariffs on $16.6-billion worth of U.S. imports of steel, aluminum and other products. The federal government has said it had no choice but to hit back at the U.S. with the countermeasures. It also announced a financial aid package for industries caught in the middle of the dispute, including up to $2 billion in new funding and support for workers in steel, aluminum and manufacturing sectors.