Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is urging Ottawa to support farmers facing a new Chinese tariff of nearly 76% on Canadian canola seed. Kinew said the federal government should spend the $100 million it has collected from tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to cushion the hit to canola producers.Kinew argues the agriculture sector deserves the same level of support that Ottawa has offered to the steel, auto, and aluminum industries in eastern Canada. .Most Canadians want proof before accepting unmarked indigenous graves at Kamloops residential school.He said canola is central to Prairie economies and a key export, and farmers should not bear the cost of a trade fight alone.China’s levy is expected to take effect today, a year after Beijing launched an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola. That probe came after Canada imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs. .Since then, both countries have layered on new measures.Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced funding supports for the steel industry, along with tighter steel tariff rules for countries without a free trade deal with Canada. Farm groups say similar help is needed for growers as they enter a crucial period for their crops..EDITORIAL: Scrap the useless Chinese EV tariff, which hurts Canada’s canola, pork, seafood industries.Federal cabinet ministers were to meet canola groups Wednesday and have pledged to speak “constructively” with Chinese officials. Kinew asked Ottawa to outline a swift plan to direct EVs tariff revenues to short-term relief and longer-term market supports, so producers can plan with confidence ahead of harvest.
