As tensions continue to rise between Canada and the United States (U.S.), some of the countries’ most under-appreciated workers have to deal with the effects.
“I’m losing my will to provide better service,” said Maria Jaspers-Fayer, a Tim Hortons employee. Jaspers-Fayer, who has worked with the company for a decade, is fed up with the way customers treat employees.
The hostility between Canada and the U.S. amidst tariffs and trade tensions has minimum wage workers dealing with frustrated Canadian customers.
A research study by the Wellesley Institute, a leading non-profit focused on policy research and advocacy for social health equity, suggests that youth, women, racialized and immigrant workers are most likely to be working minimum wage jobs in Ontario.
While the Wellesley Institute study highlights the groups most affected by minimum wage work in Ontario, the reality for these workers is often harsh.
Jaspers-Fayer’s experience highlights the intense pressure minimum wage workers face, especially in fast-paced service environments. According to a Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, workers under 25 are more likely to be employed in retail, food, and accommodation services compared to those over 25.
These already stressful environments are further compounded by the additional pressure from tariffs and boycotts.“We are pushed and pulled to wits ends with the fast pace and amount of work, but expected to provide superior service” Jaspers-Fayer said.
The U.S. imposed tariffs of 10 per cent on energy product exports and 25 per cent on Canadian exports on March 4, 2025. In response, countermeasures including reciprocal tariffs were detailed in the statement from the Government of Canada.
The trade dispute has had tangible effects on local businesses and consumers, creating additional challenges for everyday transactions.
“Customers often bring up how it’s hard and a lot more time consuming, always looking for Canadian products and avoiding anything American,” said Grace McGrath, a cashier at the Newcastle Foodland.
Customers frequently tell cashiers how frustrated they are when grocery shopping, especially due to the tariffs, said McGrath, who has worked there for two years. “Whenever I get complaints on store products, it’s almost always about the prices of groceries,” she said.
A lot of the cashiers at Foodland are high-school or university students, mostly young women. Despite having no control over prices or product, they have to deal with all the complaints.
As a result, these young cashiers are caught in the middle of rising tensions, facing frustration from customers who, in response to the tariffs, are seeking alternatives to American products.
Online, many resources including the Made In Canada website, explain how to identify Canadian products in stores.
The uncertainty of the current political climate can add to the already stressful environment in these jobs.
“I would like to see more patience and appreciation from those who have never worked in customer service. Those workers who put our heart and soul into our work ethic are not appreciated,” said Jaspers-Fayer.
As tensions between Canada and the U.S. continue to shape consumer habits, frontline workers bear the brunt of public frustration. Whether in a grocery store or a drive-thru, these employees—many of them young, racialized or newcomers—navigate a challenging work environment with little recognition.
Their experiences serve as a reminder that behind every transaction is a worker simply trying to do their job.