Despite 25 per cent tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on aluminum imports, Quebec’s aluminum towns remain confident in their ability to weather the storm. Mayors across the province report no immediate job losses or production slowdowns, with major aluminum producers adapting to shifting market conditions.
Quebec, home to nine of Canada’s ten primary aluminum smelters, plays a critical role in the global aluminum supply chain. While 90 per cent of Canadian aluminum exports typically go to the U.S., Quebec smelters have quickly pivoted to alternative markets.
- Aluminerie Alouette (Sept-Îles, QC), the largest aluminum smelter in North America, remains unfazed by the tariffs, with Mayor Denis Miousse confirming the company’s ability to redirect exports to Asia and other international buyers.
- Baie-Comeau’s aluminum production remains steady, with Mayor Michel Desbiens stating that “nothing has changed” in sales or employment levels since the tariffs were imposed.
- Alcoa’s Deschambault-Grondines smelter, employing 500 workers, continues operations without disruption. Mayor Patrick Bouillé believes the U.S. still relies on Quebec’s high-quality aluminum and that Trump’s tariffs may backfire.
“We’re pretty confident in coming out OK. The U.S. needs Quebec’s aluminum,” Bouillé said.
While primary aluminum producers remain stable, companies involved in aluminum processing are feeling the impact.
- Cyrill AMP, a South Shore company specializing in architectural aluminum panels, has laid off 10 of its 80 employees and reduced its workweek. General Manager David Théroux attributes the losses to a decline in U.S. contracts, including a $1.5 million project lost due to tariff uncertainty.
“We know we lost that project because of the uncertainty,” Théroux explained, adding that further tariff hikes could lead to more layoffs.
Jean-Thomas Bernard, an economist at the University of Ottawa, explains that primary aluminum producers—like Quebec’s smelters—are less vulnerable to tariffs than processors like Cyrill AMP. Many of Quebec’s aluminum producers operate under long-term contracts, providing a cushion against short-term price volatility.
Additionally, Quebec enjoys a competitive advantage that the U.S. cannot replicate—its abundance of hydroelectric power, a key resource for large-scale aluminum production.
While Quebec’s aluminum towns remain stable for now, the situation could change if tariff pressures increase or market conditions shift further. Canadian officials continue to monitor the situation, particularly as Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on $29.8 billion worth of U.S. goods.