Mayors from cities throughout Canada have acknowledged the results which are doable ought to the U.S. authorities impose tariffs.
Members of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Massive Metropolis Mayors Caucus gathered in Ottawa on Thursday for a gathering to debate the threatened tariffs. Amongst them was Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
Dilkens and different mayors informed reporters Thursday afternoon that any impression tariffs have on Canada will have an effect on extra than simply the auto sector and manufacturing.
“Auto elements, to electronics, to greenhouse-grown merchandise from the encompassing area,” stated Dilkens. “Actually, simply 20 minutes away from the Metropolis of Windsor is the world’s second-largest greenhouse cluster, solely dwarfed by Holland. Eighty-five per cent of the merchandise they produce are exported to the US.”
With a 30-day reprieve labored out between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump, municipalities are scrambling to create alternate provide chains to reduce any impression tariffs might have.
London Mayor Josh Morgan stated that Canada’s largest communities have to put on a number of hats.
“Municipalities are usually not simply service suppliers. We’re financial drivers,” stated Morgan. “The best way we spend and make investments to acquire items and providers has a direct impression on jobs, native industries, and the long-term resilience of our communities.”
The Massive Metropolis Mayors’ Caucus met on Thursday with Trudeau and International Affairs Minister Melanie Joly to assist formulate the municipal portion of Canada’s response to the fear menace.
Dilkens additionally acts because the chair of the Border Cities Alliance, a bunch of representatives from border cities throughout the nation. He stated it was important that the alliance present a united entrance.
“We’re not going to ‘zig’ whereas others are ‘zagging’,” stated Dilkens. “We need to be supportive. We need to be a part of the nationwide dialogue and assist lend {our relationships} with mayors on the opposite facet of the border, to amplify their voices. Simply as a lot as we’re speaking about neighborhood impression in Canada and our cities, this impression might be equally as grave on the U.S. facet.”
Representatives from the FCM will journey with Ontario PC Chief Doug Ford to Washington, DC subsequent week.
