The hidden human cost of a 25% tariff: A public health crisis in the making
By Lethbridge Herald on January 22, 2025.
Austin Mardon, Peter Anto Johnson & John Christy Johnson – ANTARCTIC INSTITUTE OF CANADA
Economic policies may seem like abstract numbers and percentages to most people, but their real-world impacts can hit devastatingly close to home. A proposed 25% tariff rate in Canada is not just an economic measure; it’s a potential public health catastrophe. Behind the cold logic of trade protectionism lie human stories—of lives cut short, families torn apart, and health systems stretched to their breaking point. If implemented, this tariff could trigger a wave of deaths, increased suicide rates, and widespread suffering across the nation. Let’s explore how such a policy could unravel the fabric of Canadian society.
The Heavy Toll of Economic Stress
Imagine walking into a grocery store to find your bill has surged by 25%. Now, picture that on top of already struggling to pay rent or manage existing debts. For millions of Canadians, this scenario would become a harsh reality under the proposed tariff. Economic hardship is a well-documented driver of mental health crises. When people’s financial security is threatened, stress levels skyrocket, leading to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
The most chilling statistic comes from research during the 2008 global financial crisis, which revealed a clear link between economic downturns and suicide rates. For every 1% increase in unemployment, suicide rates rose by approximately 1%. A 25% tariff could push countless businesses to close and eliminate jobs in industries reliant on imports, pushing unemployment rates higher. The result? A spike in suicides, with potentially hundreds of lives lost each year to despair born of economic hopelessness.
Hunger on the Rise: Food Insecurity
Canada’s reliance on imported goods, especially food, makes it highly vulnerable to the effects of tariffs. Fruits, vegetables, and other staples—many of which are imported during Canada’s long winters—would see dramatic price increases. For families already struggling to make ends meet, a 25% rise in prices could make healthy eating an unaffordable luxury.
Food insecurity isn’t just about hunger; it’s a direct assault on health. Children from food-insecure households are more likely to suffer from developmental delays, obesity, and chronic illnesses. Adults face higher risks of diabetes, hypertension, and even premature death. With nutritious food pushed out of reach for millions, the health implications are staggering. The silent killer of poor nutrition would claim lives—and it wouldn’t discriminate between age groups.
Deepening Inequalities
Canada prides itself on being a nation of inclusivity, but systemic inequities still run deep. A tariff of this magnitude would disproportionately harm the most vulnerable among us. Indigenous communities, already grappling with poverty, food deserts, and limited access to healthcare, would face an even steeper climb. For many, the higher cost of living would exacerbate existing health crises, from diabetes to substance abuse.
Recent immigrants, single-parent households, and individuals with disabilities would also bear the brunt of this policy. These groups often occupy low-wage jobs and have little financial buffer to absorb rising costs. The gap between the haves and the have-nots would widen further, turning economic inequality into a public health disaster.
A Healthcare System Under Siege
Canada’s healthcare system is a source of national pride, but it’s not invincible. The ripple effects of a 25% tariff would place enormous pressure on already overstretched hospitals and clinics. Increased mental health crises, preventable diseases stemming from poor nutrition, and stress-induced illnesses would drive more Canadians to seek medical help.
Emergency rooms, already at capacity in many parts of the country, could see a flood of patients with nowhere else to turn. The financial toll on provincial healthcare budgets would grow, forcing difficult trade-offs and potentially cutting resources for other essential services. The system, already straining under the weight of post-pandemic recovery, could buckle under this additional pressure.
The Path Forward: Choosing People Over Policies
The prospect of a 25% tariff is sobering, but it’s not inevitable. Policymakers must take a hard look at the human cost of such a policy. There are alternatives that can protect Canadian industries without sacrificing public health:
• Targeted Relief Programs: Subsidies for essential goods can cushion the blow for low-income families.
• Mental Health Investments: Expanding access to mental health services, including therapy and crisis support, can mitigate the psychological toll of economic hardship.
• Revenue Redistribution: Using tariff revenues to fund social programs could help offset some of the negative impacts.
• Smart Trade Policies: Collaborating with international partners to address trade imbalances can reduce the need for such drastic measures.
Conclusion: A Moral Obligation
A 25% tariff might bolster certain economic sectors, but at what cost? The lives of Canadians are too high a price to pay. From suicides driven by financial despair to children growing up malnourished and unhealthy, the consequences of this policy would haunt our nation for years to come. Policymakers have a moral obligation to prioritize the well-being of their citizens over abstract economic gains. By exploring alternative approaches and investing in protective measures, Canada can avoid turning an economic strategy into a public health tragedy. The time to act is now—before the numbers on a balance sheet translate into lives lost forever.
Dr. Austin Mardon, Member of the Order of Canada, Honorary Doctor of Laws from UBC, founder and chair of the Antarctic Institute of Canada. aamardon@yahoo.ca
Drs. Peter Anto Johnson and John Christy Johnson are Family Medicine physicians in Alberta and Research Program Coordinators at the Antarctic Institute of Canada.
25-24
Expounding the evils of a 25% tariff, is a lot fear mongering. The biggest reason it is a concern is years of liberal policies. Stifling growth and industry , enriching comrade Zzylinski and his ilk. Catering to world government ideology with Canadas limited resources ( money we don’t have). Massive deficit budgets , huge increase in civil service clowns, and more.