Quebec workers are feeling the pressure as potential U.S. tariffs loom, raising anxiety and impacting mental health across various industries.
Quebec: The looming threat of 25% tariffs from the U.S. is causing a lot of stress for workers in various industries. It’s like a dark cloud hanging over them, and it’s really affecting their mental health.
Industries like lumber and aluminum are particularly worried. If these tariffs hit, many jobs could be on the line. Workers are feeling anxious about their futures, and unions are stepping in to voice these concerns.
Unifor, which represents a ton of workers in Quebec, is seeing a rise in distress calls. Their director, Daniel Cloutier, mentioned that many young families are feeling the heat. It’s tough when your whole town relies on just a couple of industries.
Cloutier estimates that around 60% of their members could be impacted by these tariffs. That’s a huge number! And it’s not just about losing jobs; it’s about the stress and worry that comes with it.
Julie Hébert from the Steelworkers union agrees. She pointed out that workers are already dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic, rising costs, and now this economic uncertainty. It’s a lot to handle.
Even the forest industry is feeling the pinch. Many forest owners rely on selling wood, and the thought of tariffs is making them anxious. Vincent Miville from the Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec explained that these tariffs could really hurt their income and expenses.
Premier François Legault is trying to reassure everyone. He’s been talking about how to help businesses and workers cope with the potential fallout. But there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what that help will look like.
In the end, it’s all about keeping calm and figuring out how to navigate this tricky situation. Workers just want to know they’ll be okay, and that their jobs are safe.
