Donald Trump’s new tariffs are now in effect and Durham’s mayors are speaking out.
Ottawa’s push to secure a trade deal with Washington failed on Friday.
As that deadline passed, the U. S. implemented 50 per cent tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Canadian goods.
The Canadian government is responding with what officials call “dollar-for-dollar” retaliatory tariffs on the U. S.
Here are some of the local responses from across Durham.
Durham Regional Chair John Henry
“We’re deeply disappointed by the United States’ decision to proceed with targeted 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods. At a time when businesses and workers on both sides of the border benefit from a strong economic partnership, these measures create uncertainty and put additional pressure on communities that rely on cross-border trade.
We stand with the federal government’s response and support measures to defend Canadian interests, workers and industries, and our top priority is protecting Durham Region businesses. To support these efforts, we’re bringing together the Durham Economic Task Force to assess the impact on businesses across Durham, explore ways partners can work together to provide support and ensure businesses have access to timely information and resources.
Our history of innovation, resilience and manufacturing excellence gives us confidence that Durham Region will meet these challenges, and emerge stronger and more competitive.
I encourage residents to support local businesses, choose Canadian-made products whenever possible and invest in the people that drive Durham Region’s economy.”
Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster
“We stand strong with our business community against these unjustified and senseless trade tariffs. For decades, the strength of Canada and the United States has depended on shared economic partnerships. Canadians and local businesses deserve better.
In the face of a worsening trade war, I’m working with our staff and the Clarington Board of Trade to convene a roundtable to hear directly from local businesses about how they are being impacted and how we can support them.
Clarington continues to prioritize local procurement through the Clarington Vendor Directory, which connects local businesses with municipal opportunities. We buy local, buy Ontario, buy Canadian, whenever we can through procurement policies.
Now more than ever, buy Canadian to support our workers, our businesses, and our nation.”
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter
“The City of Oshawa is disappointed by the breakdown in trade negotiations between Canada and the United States and the resulting tariffs now being imposed on Canadian goods. These measures create uncertainty for businesses, workers and families on both sides of the border and will be felt across industries that have long benefited from a strong and mutually beneficial trading relationship.
Oshawa is a city built by innovators, makers, entrepreneurs and skilled workers whose success has been strengthened through international free trade and integrated supply chains. While the current situation presents real challenges, it does not diminish the resilience, determination and competitiveness that have defined our community for generations.
The City of Oshawa stands firmly with our local businesses, manufacturers, exporters and workers who may be affected by these developments. We will continue to advocate alongside our municipal, provincial and federal partners for policies that protect Canadian jobs, strengthen economic competitiveness and support the long-term prosperity of our community.
Our Economic Development team remains actively engaged with local businesses to better understand the impacts on operations, sinvestment decisions and employment. Those conversations will continue to inform our advocacy and ensure the concerns of Oshawa businesses are heard at every level of government.
This is a time for composure, collaboration and confidence in our strengths. Oshawa has navigated economic change before, and each time we have emerged stronger through innovation adaptability, and a shared commitment to one another. We will continue workingto diversifyour economy attract new investment expand market opportunitiesandsupportthebusinessesandworkerswhoarethefoundationofourcommunity’ssuccess.
To thosebusinesses workersandfamilies facinguncertainty today knowthat your Citystandswithyou. Wewillcontinuetoadvocateforyourinterests, supportyour successandworkwithpartnersacross Canadatensure Oshawaremainsasstrong competitive prosperouscityforgenerationscome.”
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy
“Today’s remarksfrom Premier Doug Fordunderscoretheseriousnessofthe escalatingtradedisputewiththe United Statesandtheneedforalllevelsofgovernmenttostandtogetherindefenceof Canadianworkersandbusinesses.”
“The introductionof50per cent U. S. tariffson Canadiangoodscreates significantuncertaintyforbusinessesdisruptssupplychainsandputs Canadianjobsatrisk.”
Whitbystandswithourprovincialandfederalpartnersinsupportinga united Team Canadaresponse-andwerecognizethatmunicipalitieshaveanimportantroletoplay.”
Inearly2025Iestablishedthe Mayor’s Tariff Task Forcewhichbringstogether Townof Whitbystaffandlocalbusinessleadertocollaborateon Whitby-focusedsolutions. Thetaskforcecontinuesmetregularlyincludingearlierthismonth.”
Overpast18months, the Townof Whitbyhasamendedprocurementbylawstoprioritize Canadiangoodsservicesintroducedrestrictionspreventing U. S. businessesfrombiddingonmunicipalcontracts.”
Townstaffareworkingcloselywithlocalbusinessto connectthemwithresources, promotetheirproductsserviceshelpemrespondtochangingeconomicconditions…”
Ialso regularlyvisit Whitbybusinessesforone-on-oneconversationso Icanheardirectlyaboutthechallenges theyarefacing, andadvocatefortheirsupporttheyneed… ”</
Whitbyisfortunatehaveexceptionalpartnersinthen Whitby Chamber Commerce Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area Theirleadershipwillbe increasinglyimportantinthemonthsahead…”
Therewillundoubtedlybechallengesaswenavigatethisperiodofeconomicuncertaintybut Iamconfidentinther esilienceof Whitby’sbusinesscommunity.”
Istronglyencourage Whitbyresidentstosupportlocal Canadianbusinesseseverywhere possible-everypurchase matters..”
Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier
“It’sonethreatafteranotherfromthe President. Nowhewants torenamelake Ontario “Lake America”? It’snotonlyabsurd, it’saninsulttothehistoryidentityofthecommunitieslike Ajaxwhosharethis Great Lake. Thistradewarmaybeaboutpowerforthe President, butforlocalbusinesses, it’saboutuncertainty, risingcostsandrealanxiety.”
That’s whythe Townisfocusedonwhatwecancontrol: protectingourlocaleconomy, supportingourbusinessesstandingupfor Canadianjobs. Wecontinuetosupporta Buy Canadiapproach98%ofof Townpurchaseorderssourcedfrom Canadianbusinesse s..”
Ifyour businessor familyfeelingimpactthese unnecessarytradeactions, Iencourageyoutocontact Ajax Advantageteam. The Townapplyingnewprovincial Trade Impacted Communitiesgrantthisweekteamvisiting businessthatwillmostimpacted escalatingsituation, tobetterunderstandchallenges advocatefortherequiredsupport. Ajaxwillcontinuetostandbehindourgrowers Workerslocaleconomy..”
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe
Recentdevelopmentsin Canada-U. Strade relationscontinuetocreateuncertaintyforbusinesse sworkerscommunitiesacrossthecountryincludinghere Pickering.”
Sincefirstemergedconcern City Pickeringhastakenproactive stepstoassesspotentialimpactslocaleconomysupport Canadiabusinesseseverpossible. Councilactedearlytodirectstaffprioritize Canadiannon- U. S. goods serviceswhenpracticalcost-effective ensuringmunicipalspendinghelpsstrengthendomesticsupplychains supports Canadian busi nesses..” Councilalso calledprovincial federallocationgovernmenteliminate interprovincialtrade barriersadvance policiesthatstrengthen Canada’seconomiccompetitiveness. moreintegrated Canadaeconomywilhelpbusinessaccessnewmarkets attractinvestmentreduce relianceexte rnal pressures..”
The Citycontinuetoworkclosely Durham Regionlocalindustrypartnershipsotherlevelsgov ernm entidentifyopportunitieshelpnavigatingchangingconditionspositionlongtermsuccess..” Thetrad eenvironmentremainsuncertainbutremainconfidenttheresilienceinnovationentrepreneurial spirit Pickering’scommunity. Our Citywell-positionedfuturecontinueadvocatepolicies..” scugogmayorwilma Wotten “Canada United Stateslong builttheeconomic successcollaborationsharedprosperitystrongcross-borderpartnerships. Cannot affordlosightthat. Recent UStariffannouncenment Canada’sresponsehave realimpactsbusine ss familieshere Scugog. Localco mmunityfullsupport Canadaagainstunfaircounterproductive trademeasures” “Supportfederal provincial governments’Team Canadaapproachcontinueto championprocurement practices prioritize lo cal Ontario Canad ians supplierswheneverpossible. Township Councilapprovedchangesto Procurement By-lawsupport Ontari o Canadi an bu sine ss es.” “Encourageall Scugogresidentsbuyloc alchoose Canadianprodu cts servicesever theycan. Bysodoingsuportworks strengthen ourecon omybuil dmore resilientcom muniti es.” Brock Mayor Mike Jubb “Newtariffs tradeshift very concerningas Mayortownship Brock. Manylocals feel impactunfair unjustifiedtariffs friendssouthborder. Ihopebothgovernmentsgetbacktableprotect Cana dianjobsbusinessesseeking tur moiland uncertainty. Istand Team Canada.” Ifyoufoundspellingerrorplease notifyusselectingtextpress Ctrl+Enter.”
Source link
Source link
