The City of Kitchener is rolling out a new plan to help local businesses and safeguard jobs due to the ongoing trade tensions with the U. S.
This initiative comes as the Canada-U. S. trade conflict intensifies. On Tuesday, a ban on imports from Canada affecting various products took effect in the U. S.
“This builds on the efforts we started last year when we first began facing tariff issues and trade challenges. We’re clearly at a whole new stage now,” said Kitchener mayor Berry Vrbanovic during Monday’s announcement at city hall.
“So moving forward, how do we ensure that both we as a city and our community are supporting local businesses so that together we’re strengthening Kitchener,” he added.
Here’s what the city plans to do:
Buy more from local businesses: Focus on sourcing from Ontario and Canadian suppliers, seek alternatives to U. S. products, and simplify the bidding process for local businesses on city contracts. Make shopping local easier: The city will highlight local businesses through features, markets, pop-ups, and partnerships within the community. Help businesses adapt and grow: Link businesses with funding options, workshops, and support services that assist them in finding Canadian suppliers and exploring new markets. Bring local concerns to other governments: The city will gather insights directly from businesses about their trade difficulties and use this information to advocate for support from provincial and federal authorities. Help businesses find new markets: Leverage its partnerships to connect local companies with fresh customers, investors, and opportunities beyond the U. S.
According to data from the City of Kitchener, approximately 98 percent of its spending already goes towards Ontario-based companies.
This plan continues efforts initiated in August when Kitchener’s Tariff and Trade Task Force was reactivated following the implementation of 50 percent tariffs by the U. S.
A recent report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce ranks Waterloo region as one of the top four most vulnerable areas in Canada concerning proposed U. S. tariffs. About 46.5 percent of this region’s gross domestic product comes from exports to the U. S.
As part of this strategy, federal procurement officials will hold meetings with local construction and infrastructure firms at city hall on Oct. 13. A session focused on defense industries will take place on Oct. 14, connecting regional companies with defense contractors and suppliers.
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