Statement by Chrystia Freeland​

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Donald Trump’s illegal and unjustified 25 per cent steel and aluminum tariffs pose a grave threat to Canadian jobs and the Canadian economy.

 

The foundation of my proven retaliation plan is $200 billion of tariffs that hit the United States where it hurts, dollar-for-dollar, as we did in 2019. With the tariff threat renewed, Canada must also impose a 100 per cent tariff on all Tesla vehicles to hit Trump’s billionaire buddies.

 

We should also pursue policies that capitalize on this moment to strengthen our wonderful country, including our universal public healthcare system.

If I were Prime Minister and tariffs were imposed, I would rapidly add more doctors and nurses to our healthcare system by:

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1. Offering $200,000 to Canadian doctors practicing in the U.S. that return home to Canada. My government will provide returning doctors with signing and retention bonuses totaling $200,000 after five years. My government will also offer to purchase up to $300,000 in U.S. student loans from each returning doctor, and keep the transferred loans interest-free for doctors who stay and practice in Canada. This offer would include the hardworking doctors who live in Canada and cross the border every day to practice in the U.S.

    

2. Offering $100,000 to Canadian nurses practicing in the U.S. that return home to Canada. My government will provide returning nurses with signing and retention bonuses totaling $100,000 after five years. My government will also offer to purchase up to $50,000 in U.S. student loans from each returning nurse, and keep the transferred loans interest-free for nurses who stay and practice in Canada. This offer would include the thousands of hardworking nurses who live in Canada and cross the border every day to practice in the U.S.

    

3. Recognizing foreign credentials in healthcare within one month of arriving in Canada. Together with provinces and territories, my government will shorten credential approvals to less than one month and make it easier to apply for recognition before arriving in Canada.

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Donald Trump’s damaging steel and aluminum tariffs require swift and forceful retaliation. My three proposals to bring Canadian doctors and nurses back home and recognize foreign credentials would dramatically boost Canada’s healthcare workforce and improve Canadians’ access to the care they deserve.