Red Deer MP says prolonged Canada-U.S. tariff dispute hurting local businesses
With a federal deadline looming, Burton Bailey says central Alberta industries from honey to oil and gas have already suffered from months of tariff uncertainty.
Why it matters
A stalled trade deal could deepen economic strain on central Alberta's agriculture, energy and manufacturing sectors.
Red Deer MP Burton Bailey says the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade dispute has gone on far too long and is hurting businesses in his riding. His comments come as the federal government faced a Friday midnight deadline to strike a trade deal, or risk U.S. President Donald Trump imposing further 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.
Bailey said a panel discussion with local businesses highlighted how tariffs have crippled industries including honey farming, greenhouses, agriculture and oil and gas. He said central Alberta canola farmers have been especially hard hit, and that some Red Deer businesses can no longer compete due to taxation and tariff pressures.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief negotiator Janice Charette were meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, after the original Wednesday deadline was pushed to Saturday. LeBlanc said Thursday the two sides were 'very close' to a deal.
Bailey said he is hopeful but not confident Prime Minister Mark Carney will secure a fair deal, calling it a mistake not to reach an agreement when tariffs were first imposed in early 2025. He alleged more than 60 Canadian mills have closed this year due to tariffs, that the softwood lumber industry has been decimated, and that some businesses are already relocating equipment from Red Deer to the U.S.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.