As Canadian employers continue to experience economic strain from U.S. tariffs, it’s important for human resources professionals to focus on communication and creative strategies to retain talent, says Stephen Shore, a labour and employment lawyer at Littler LLP.

While the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs implemented in April 2025, they’ve been replaced with a 10 per cent global tariff. Although goods traded under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement are exempt from these tariffs, a review of that trade deal will take place later this year. In addition, tariffs targeting specific sectors, such as steel and automobiles, remain in place.

Lowered production levels, targeted layoffs and elevated prices have led to restructuring risk and complicated wage and bargaining dynamics for employers. This is causing a lot of uncertainty for employers as they adapt their........

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