OTTAWA — Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced that Quebec's aluminum sector is expected to receive "hundreds of millions of dollars" from a $5 billion fund aimed at assisting industries affected by U.S. tariffs. Nearly all of Canada's aluminum production occurs in Quebec, making the sector crucial to the province's economy.

Joly stated that the federal government has not yet finalized how the tariff support fund will be allocated among the affected sectors. The announcement comes as Canadian aluminum and steel exports face a steep 50 percent tariff imposed by the United States.

Jean Simard, president of the Aluminum Association of Canada, emphasized the importance of tariff relief for maintaining the sector's competitiveness on a global scale. He noted that while Canada has aluminum markets in Europe and Asia, the majority of the aluminum produced in Canada is exported to the U.S.

The fund is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the financial impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian industries. The government aims to ensure that Canadian producers can compete effectively in international markets.