Montreal Aluminium Summit - The Québec government, the G7 member countries and the aluminum industry are mobilizing to combat global oversupply and protectionism

MONTRÉAL, June 4, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - In the run-up to the G7 Summit to be held on June 8 and 9, 2018 in the Charlevoix region, the Montreal Aluminium Summit has assembled for the past two days representatives of the Québec and federal governments, delegates from the G7 member countries and aluminum industry stakeholders.

The objective of the Summit, organized by the Aluminum Association of Canada, was to elaborate an action plan prior to the establishment of a global forum focusing on production overcapacity in the aluminum industry, an initiative that the Québec government supports.

Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy Dominique Anglade and Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region Christine St-Pierre spoke at this unifying event. In particular, they took advantage of the opportunity to reiterate that the US government's decision to levy tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada will have adverse impacts on both sides of the border and that the government intends to do everything possible to counteract this frontal assault on the Québec economy. Companies and some 30 000 steel and aluminum workers can rely on the unfailing support of the government as they face new protectionist measures imposed by the American authorities.

"The aluminum industry is a genuine economic driving force for Québec and I am convinced that our discussions at the Summit will enable us to respond to the challenges concerning the industry's future. By encouraging governments and multilateral institutions to mobilize with respect to shared objectives aimed, among other things, at providing concrete solutions to the challenge that production overcapacity in the aluminum sector and protectionism pose, it is assuredly by working together that our industry and its numerous stakeholders will emerge the winners."

Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy

"Our government attaches considerable importance to market openness, which goes hand in hand with the growth of our economy. For this reason, we unreservedly condemn the US government's decision to levy such tariffs. Events such as this one, which assemble both public decision-makers and industry representatives, enable us not only to emphasize the unique ties that Québec and Canada maintain with the G7 member countries but also offers new business opportunities for Québec firms active in this important area of activity in the Québec economy."

Christine St-Pierre, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region

Highlights:

• In 2017, Québec aluminum exports stood at $8 billion. Exports to the United States alone totalled nearly $7 billion.
• In Québec, the aluminium industry generates nearly 30 000 jobs, nearly 7 000 of them in the primary industry.
• On May 31, 2018, the US government levied a 10% tariff on aluminum and a 25% tariff on steel exported to the United States by Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

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Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation du Québec

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SOURCE Cabinet de la vice-première ministre, ministre de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation et ministre responsable de la Stratégie numérique

Sources: Gabrielle Fallu, Press Officer, Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, Telephone: [phone]; Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, Press Officer, Office of the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, Telephone: [phone]; Information: Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil, Media Relations Coordinator, Direction des communications, Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation, Telephone: [phone], ext. 4868, Cellphone: 418-559-0710; Émilie Lord, Media Relations Manager, Direction des communications, Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie, Telephone: [phone], ext. 57050