Saint John 2025 Federal Election Tariffs Threaten Economic Stability
The port city of Saint John finds itself at the crossroads of political uncertainty and economic vulnerability as the 2025 federal election approaches. With the United States threatening new tariffs on Canadian goods, voters in this Maritime hub are increasingly concerned about their economic future amid escalating international trade tensions.
“We’re watching this election more closely than ever,” says Michael Doucette, operations manager at the Port of Saint John, where shipping containers packed with Canadian exports await their journey south. “When tariffs become a campaign issue, our livelihoods here become political bargaining chips.”
The anxiety permeating Saint John’s industrial sector isn’t unfounded. Economic analysis from the New Brunswick Economic Council suggests that a 25% tariff on key exports could eliminate up to 3,400 jobs across the province, with nearly 1,200 positions at risk in Saint John alone. This scenario has transformed trade policy from an abstract campaign talking point into a kitchen-table issue for many New Brunswick families.
Conservative Campaign Focus
Conservative candidate Rebecca MacKenzie has seized on these concerns, making trade protection a centerpiece of her campaign. “The current administration has failed to secure our economic interests,” MacKenzie told supporters at a recent rally near the harbor. “Saint John workers need a government willing to stand firm against punitive measures that threaten our manufacturing base.”
Liberal Incumbent’s Response
Liberal incumbent Thomas Brightwell counters that diplomatic engagement, not confrontation, remains the most effective approach. “We’ve successfully navigated complex trade negotiations before,” Brightwell noted during a debate at CO24 Politics. “Reckless rhetoric only inflames tensions and puts more jobs at risk.”
Impact on Energy and Small Businesses
The ripple effects extend beyond the port. Saint John’s Irving Oil refinery, which processes 320,000 barrels daily and employs over 1,500 people, faces potential disruption if cross-border energy flows become entangled in trade disputes. Financial experts at CO24 Business have documented how previous tariff wars created price volatility that squeezed margins for energy exporters.
Meanwhile, small businesses caught in the economic uncertainty find themselves unable to make long-term investments. “I’ve put expansion plans on hold,” explains Catherine LeBlanc, owner of Atlantic Marine Supply, which services vessels at the port. “When candidates debate tariffs, they’re really debating whether businesses like mine can afford to hire next year.”
New Democratic Party’s Perspective
The New Democratic Party’s Julian Moreau has attempted to reframe the conversation, arguing that overdependence on American markets is the fundamental problem. “This election should be about economic diversification,” Moreau stated during a town hall meeting. “Building resilience means expanding trade relationships with Europe and Asia while strengthening our domestic market.”
Local Impact and Voter Sentiment
Saint John’s vulnerability reflects broader tensions reshaping CO24 News coverage of the 2025 campaign. In communities where international trade directly impacts local economies, abstract policy positions quickly translate into concrete anxieties.
For voters like shipyard worker Peter Hammond, the decision comes down to credibility. “I’m not interested in promises,” Hammond says. “I want to know which candidate actually understands how tariffs affect families like mine, and who has relationships strong enough to protect our interests.”
As election day approaches, the Saint John contest highlights how international economic policies can dominate local political discourse. With trade relationships increasingly weaponized in global politics, can any federal candidate truly protect communities built on international commerce from economic uncertainty?
