Tariffs on the campaign trail

Tariffs have been top of mind for people across the country for months now, so it only makes sense that it would be a top issue as people head to the federal election polls.

In Saskatchewan, tariffs are already having an effect.

The tariff on Canadian steel going into the U.S. has raised concerns for steel workers in Regina, and canola farmers are worried about their future after China put a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil and meal, among other Canadian commodities.

Though the economy-wide tariff on Canada threatened by the U.S. administration hasn’t fully been implemented, the threat of it and comments about Canada becoming the 51st state have kept many shoppers away from American goods.

Jason Childs, economics professor at the University of Regina, said the canola tariff is the one that will really stand out for Saskatchewan.

“We’re one of the major producers of canola in the world, so when we get hit, that’s going to take a big bite out of what we do here,” he explained.

In 2024, Saskatchewan produced 55 per cent of Canada’s canola, and in 2023, Saskatchewan was the world’s leading exporter, by dollar value, of canola oil, according to the provincial government.

However, there’s been almost no talk on the campaign trail about the Chinese tariffs, which Childs said is alarming.