August 14, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Following Beijing’s announcement of new tariffs on Canadian canola imports, provincial and federal Conservatives are renewing their calls for the cancellation of a federal loan for BC Ferries’ procurement deal with a Chinese shipyard.
This week, China announced a 75.8% tariff on Canadian canola products, which is expected to cost the industry $5 billion. This new tariff comes after the Canada Infrastructure Bank confirmed in June that it had issued a $1 billion loan to BC Ferries for a deal with a state-owned Chinese shipyard.
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stated that Ottawa is failing to stand up for Canadian industry and must cancel the loan immediately. In a statement, he said, “Given the Chinese Communist Party’s newest round of tariffs, we renew our call for Minister Robertson to cancel the Canadian Infrastructure Bank loan and put Canadian shipbuilders, steel workers, and industry first.”
Poilievre argued that the loan would contribute to the Chinese shipyard industry at a time when Canada is embroiled in a trade war with that country.
Similarly, BC’s Opposition Leader, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad, said the contract with the Chinese shipyard should be scrapped in light of the new tariffs. “I think we should break this contract. I think that we need to send a message,” Rustad said. “We want to be able to have a good trade relationship with China… but you don’t reward a country that is quite frankly attacking other sectors of our economy.”
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