NDP Interim Leader Don Davies shared the following statement:

The job losses announced this week are extremely concerning.

Unemployment is at its highest point in a decade outside COVID. This is particularly hard on young people who are experiencing unemployment numbers in the mid-teens.

The challenges facing the Canadian economy are deepened by Donald Trump`s attacks that have yet to be effectively responded to. People want a clear vision on how Canada is going to diversify our trade, create more jobs for Canadian workers, and strengthen Canadian industries.

Despite our unemployment rate now exceeding seven per cent, Mr. Carney’s announcement includes zero support for creating new, well-paying jobs for our workers. In fact, his austerity budget coming this fall will only cut more jobs and hurt more workers.

Responding to increasing unemployment by cutting tens of thousands of well-paying jobs that provide critical services to Canadians is not the economic response Canada needs.

While announcing measures to protect our current industries is a good step, we need to take more action to create more jobs and to lower our unemployment rate.

New Democrats will continue to push this government to take the necessary moves to protect, and strengthen, our economy from the challenges of Trump’s trade war.