By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

Essex MP Chris Lewis is fighting for local manufacturing jobs. 

Recently, Lewis and fellow local Conservative MPs Harb Gill, Kathy Borrelli, and Dave Epp went to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology and said “this is an absolute emergency” in response to the changes the US made on April 6, 2026 to Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper and derivative products. 

They were able, with support from the Bloc Québécois, to host three meetings on the matter. 

He said the testimony that came from Essex-Windsor businesses, such as mould makers, “was dire. 

“It was one of the most unique committee meetings I have been to in darn-near seven-years,” Lewis said. The testimony was consistent from those businesses impacted by tariffs. If they can get through to July, perhaps they can save the industry. Once it is gone, however, the skilled trades are gone and the machines are gone for good. 

Through those committee meetings, Lewis relayed from the Windsor Regional Chamber of Commerce that one in five employees work in manufacturing. 

“That’s why we reached out to Ambassador Hoekstra,” Lewis said. They had a meeting that lasted around an hour-and-a-half recently to lay out messaging for President Donald Trump. 

His team of local MPs, Lewis said, has come at the matter from a bunch of different angles. 

He believes their work led to Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly announcing $1B in funding to support the steel, aluminum, and copper sectors that have been impacted by US tariffs earlier this month. 

She said at that time the US changed how it would apply tariffs on products containing those metals. The federal government will offer “favourable terms for three-year loans” between $2M and $50M. The first year will have no interest, while year two and three will have “low” rates, she said. Repayment is due at the end of the three-years. 

What the businesses noted during those committee meetings is they received a purchase order for their product a year ago. They can’t absorb those additional tariffs. They asked the government to pick-up the tariffs, Lewis said. 

What was provided just pushed the issue down the road, Lewis explained. That is not what they asked for. What businesses want is a deal done with the US, Lewis relayed. 

“The very fact that [Prime Minister] Mark Carney is not delivering for Canadians as he campaigned and promised is shameful beyond belief,” Lewis said. 

Lewis said he will try to continue to raise awareness of this matter. He said the work is far from over, but is grateful it has gotten national attention. 

He added it is larger than just the auto sector, it includes every day plastic household items requiring a mould to make. 

“My heart breaks for so many of the young adults that don’t have the same opportunity growing up as I did,” Lewis said. “Canada didn’t use to be this way and it doesn’t have to be this way. I will be part of the solution, not part of the problem.” 

The US is Canada’s largest trading partner. Lewis said a deal needs to be achieved. “The only winners [are] both countries when we work together,” he said. 

He warned that once the industry is gone, “it is gone forever.” 

He refuses to standby and see that happen. 

“We are going to do everything we can to deliver. As the official opposition, we are going to hold the government to account,” Lewis said. Conservatives are also focusing on the long-term “so we are not in this mess that we are at today.” 

The Prime Minister, having travelled abroad to look for trade alternatives, “he has come home with one thing, actually 49,000 things–49,000 Chinese [made] electric vehicles. 

“We are the mecca – the absolute mecca – of the auto industry right here in Essex-Windsor. We have the greatest assembly workers in the world. We have the greatest skilled trade workers in the world, the best mould manufacturers, and the Prime Minister is going to celebrate [those] 49,000 electric vehicles.” 

By year five, Lewis added, that number will rise to 70,000 a year. 

What is wrong with having local manufacturers make vehicles in the community, while located next to a busy international border crossing, he asked. 

In addition, Lewis is concerned with the cost just to upgrade infrastructure to support EVs in Ontario. That does not include adding the charging stations needed. 

“What is really, really scary is the fact that the industry has invested so much,” Lewis said in regards to EVs, and that is because they were told by the government what they need to do. “Look no further than the Oshawa plant going back to – the way the Liberals would say it – gas-guzzling vehicles.” 

That’s because of EV sales trends, Lewis suspects. 

According to a market snapshot put together by the Canada Energy Regulator in April of 2026, “In 2024, [Zero Emission Vehicles] ZEV shares reached new heights, making up 14% of new annual sales—even reaching nearly 20%, or one in five vehicles sold, in some months. Then in early 2025, ZEV shares dropped to 2022 levels for much of the year (around 7-8%).” 

Lewis also spoke about the amount of negativity that can accumulate online. 

“If we weren’t doing a fantastic job and working wildly hard – and people recognizing we are working for them and them alone – the opposition wouldn’t be banging down my door and try to attack us,” Lewis commented when asked about the negative comments that can pop up on his social media on what he calls good news stories. “I take that with an absolute badge of honour.” 

He will continue to let the residents of Essex know what he is up to.