Raging against the tariffs

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This article was published 04/03/2025 (210 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ron Buchanan didn’t mince his words about the Trump administration imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

“I just can’t believe 51 per cent of Americans voted in the asshole,” he said as he entered the Liquor Mart at 2851 Pembina Hwy. “It’s disgraceful for a neighbouring country to treat (Canada) like this.”

Inside the store, staff were removing American bourbon and wine from the shelves — items which Buchanan said he had no intention of buying anyway.

On Tuesday morning, hours after the tariffs took effect, Premier Wab Kinew announced Manitoba was suspending sales of American-made wine, spirits and beer in response to the punitive measure.

Others were just as frustrated as Buchanan.

“I don’t know, there’s something wrong with that man’s head as far as I’m concerned,” said Art, who didn’t want his last name published.

Art said he’s uncertain how the tariffs will affect him. He and his wife, who are retired, mostly buy Canadian products.

Others questioned Trump’s agenda on Canada, which the president has talked about becoming the 51st state and has repeatedly referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor” of Canada.

“He’s trying to annex Canada,” said Rob, who was waiting in line outside the liquor store.

At a nearby Sobeys grocery store, Gail said she was surprised by the high number of items on her grocery list that are Canadian-made.

“I’m very careful now to avoid some of the U.S. stuff,” she said, noting she’s spent a lot of time scrutinizing food labels since Trump began threatening tariffs.

She’s pleased with Sobeys — owned by Canadian conglomerate Empire Company Ltd. — for putting up red maple leaf labels to draw attention to Canadian-made goods.

“They’ve put the Canadian products more up front on the shelves, which has been a benefit,” Gail said. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised here.”

She said she’s eager to buy local produce, including at the weekly farmers market in St. Norbert, once summer arrives.

“I’m proud to be Manitoban,” she said. “I trust our government is doing the right thing to get us through this.”

Gerry Lepage has the same opinion. He said he trusts the federal government to handle this crisis, including by imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on the U.S.

The 69-year-old retiree said it will be especially tough for seniors who rely on their pension or have a fixed income.

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“It’s going to be tough, but I strongly believe the government is going the right way and fighting back,” Lepage said.

He said he hopes all levels of governments will help seniors through an economic downturn spurred by the trade war.

He was pleased Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to impose tariffs on the electricity it supplies to New York, Michigan and Minnesota, and agreed that Canada needs to stand up to Trump.

“Make it tough for them,” he said.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.