‘We must be totally ready’: Toronto city council considers stand against potential U.S. tariffs
Toronto city council may decide at its meeting on Wednesday to take a stand against potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods despite a month reprieve from American trade action.
Council will consider two separate member motions on the issue.
The first motion, moved by Coun. Mike Colle, asks council to consider directing city staff to develop a “Buy Local, Buy Canadian” campaign that would encourage Toronto residents and businesses to buy locally made Canadian goods and services to protect Toronto and Ontario jobs.
The second motion, moved by Coun. Stephen Holyday, asks council to affirm that Toronto, as Canada’s largest city, opposes any proposal for Canada to join the U.S.
“Yes, we are thankful there is a one-month reprieve, but you never know,” Mayor Olivia Chow told reporters on Tuesday at unrelated news conference. “We must be totally ready.”
The motions come after U.S. President Donald Trump paused his plan to impose tariffs on Canada for at least 30 days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a series of commitments on Monday to improve border security.
‘We are absolutely getting ourselves organized’
Chow said the city is proceeding with a plan, announced on Monday before the pause, to review its contracts and procurement policies. She said she will continue to meet with her economic action team, the city manager has pulled together a secretariat on the issue and the council will consider the motion on the “Buy Local, Buy Canadian” campaign.
“We are absolutely getting ourselves organized,” Chow said.
“Think of all the jobs and all the benefits that we can have if everyone, including the local government, if our focus is supporting each other and protecting our jobs and our sovereignty.”
On Monday, Chow said the city would do its part in a “Team Canada” approach against U.S. tariffs. She said the city would have a “Toronto Action Plan” that would include a “city-wide push to put our locally-made products and services first.”
Chow had said the message to Torontonians was: “We have your back.”
Later, after the U.S. paused the tariffs, a spokesperson for the mayor said: “Our statement this morning stands. We will be ready to protect Torontonians no matter what the U.S. does next.”
Colle, who represents Eglinton-Lawrence, said the city needs to be vigilant in the face of potential action by Trump. He said the reprieve is a wake-up call.
“We’ve got to continue to encourage people to buy Canadian, rely on Canadian goods and services more than ever before. It’s the only way we can protect ourselves from whatever stunts this guy is going to pull.”
Colle said his motion asks the city manager and relevant city divisions to develop a comprehensive campaign to further develop the local economy through the buying of local goods and services whenever possible.
Council to be asked to support Canadian independence
In his motion, Holyday says: “Troubling statements originating from President Donald Trump have circulated in mass media and social media for weeks, which attempt to bring into question Canada’s independence, our distinct culture and values, and suggest that our proud nation should become the 51st state of the United States of America.
“As appalling and absurd as these messages are to Canadians, the comments could be used to distract from serious international relations discussions on issues that may have profound effects on our citizens, businesses and economy.”
As the push to buy Canadian products continues despite a pause in U.S. tariffs, questions swirl around the difference between “Made in Canada” and “Product of Canada.” CBC’s Dale Manucdoc breaks down what shoppers need to know.
Holyday, who represents Etobicoke Centre, says it is more important than even that “Toronto quash any fantasies that its citizens support, desire or aspire to be part” of the U.S.
“Therefore, I recommend that City Council, on behalf of the three million citizens of Toronto, take a firm position against Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States of America.”
The debate is coming as interest grows in the Buy Canadian movement.
Dylan Lobo, 22, owner of the website Made in Canada, which lists Canadian products and services, said on Monday there has been a huge increase in the number of people reading the site as well as submitting a product or company to be considered for it.
“For years, we were probably only getting maybe five or 10,000 people a month who read our resource. And then, the last few years, it’s probably been, you know, 50,000 to 100,000 people in a day,” Lobo said.
The site was launched in July 2018, during the last tariff battle between Canada and the U.S.
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