“What About My Taxes?”: Steelworker Grills Trudeau on Cost of Living Crisis During Photo Op
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau found himself on the receiving end of a heated exchange with a cash-strapped steelworker during a photo op in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Fox News reports, citing other media reports.
Footage of the encounter, obtained by CTV News, went viral, capturing the worker’s frustration over rising costs and his perception that Trudeau’s policies have left his family struggling to make ends meet.
The unidentified worker, employed at Algoma Steel, rejected Trudeau’s offer of doughnuts and instead launched into a complaint about high taxes, medical bills, and what he perceived as government handouts to those he deemed “lazy.”
“The 25% tariffs we just brought in is going to help you out … that’s going to keep your job,” Trudeau responded, referring to recent trade policies.
“What about the 40% taxes I am paying? And I don’t have a doctor,” the worker shot back, highlighting his personal struggles with healthcare and financial burden.
Trudeau attempted to defend his government’s investments in the region, highlighting a multimillion-dollar investment in Algoma Steel. “That means you’ll have a job for many years to come,” he said.
The worker, however, remained unconvinced, responding that he expected Trudeau to be voted out in the next election. He also criticized the government’s approach to healthcare, arguing that unemployed Canadians seemed to have better access to affordable care than working people like himself.
The next federal election in Canada is scheduled for October 20, 2025.
