By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The topic of tariffs has been buzzing online ever since U.S. President Donald Trump announced that new import taxes would be imposed on Canadian goods on February 1. Though his plan is currently on hold, many Canadians now question what this means for businesses, consumers, and Burlington’s economy.
A tariff is essentially a tax that one country places on goods imported from another. It increases the cost of those goods, which can help protect local businesses from foreign competition but also makes products more expensive for consumers.
For businesses that import materials or goods from the U.S., these tariffs could mean higher costs, which may be passed on to consumers. Meanwhile, Canadian exporters who sell to American markets may struggle to remain competitive as their products become more expensive for U.S. buyers. This situation could lead to declining sales and financial hardship for Burlington-based companies that rely on cross-border trade. The disruption in supply chains could also result in delays and operational challenges.
The U.S. pause on the implementation of these tariffs for 30 days as of February 8, 2025, to allow time for further negotiations offers a brief window for Canadian officials to work toward a resolution that may prevent the tariffs from taking effect.
The news has sparked widespread discussion, with many residents and business owners voicing their concerns online. Under a social media post by financial expert Melissa Leong, one user expressed deep anxiety, stating, “I’m just terrified of losing my job. I cry almost daily from fear.” Another small business owner commented, “As a small Canadian business, I so hope people take your advice and support Canadian. We are going to need it to support our families.”
The City of Burlington has also taken proactive steps to address the issue. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward recently announced a Mayoral Direction aimed at protecting local businesses and promoting economic stability.
“As we face continued uncertainty regarding potential tariffs, I am committed to ensuring that our local businesses, workers, and residents are supported in every way possible. Today, I have taken a proactive step to protect our community, ensure our economic stability, and prioritize Canadian vendors and services,” said Mayor Meed Ward. “With a 30-day reprieve from tariffs announced this week, today’s action enables staff to take full advantage of the time afforded to prepare a response and assess all available options.”
The Mayoral Direction includes several key measures, such as prioritizing Canadian vendors in city contracts, pausing procurement from U.S. suppliers, and developing a “Buy Canadian” webpage to encourage local spending. Burlington City Council had already passed a Buy Canadian resolution, and these new measures build on that effort.
In response to the tariffs, the Burlington Teen Tour Band has also cancelled its planned performance at the Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade and will instead seek a Canadian event to support local businesses.
Public reaction to these measures has been mixed. Some residents support the decision to limit U.S. spending, with one Instagram user stating, “Good decision, Burlington council. The hard part will be sticking to it.” Others, however, questioned whether the city should be focusing on the tariff issue at all, with a commenter asking, “How much time has the mayor and city council wasted on this? Why not focus on things the city actually needs?”
Says Paul Sharman, Ward 5 councillor and deputy mayor of strategy, budget, process, and performance, “This came out of efforts by the federal government to prepare — the federal government is looking for support for the worst case scenario. Either this guy [Trump] comes to his senses or we will be hit with these tariffs. We need to be prepared; if we’re not ready, then we’ve failed, we haven’t done our jobs [as Burlington’s local government].”
With the temporary pause on tariffs in place, Canadian officials now have a critical opportunity to negotiate and advocate for a resolution that protects businesses, jobs, and consumers. While Burlington is taking steps to prepare for the worst, many remain hopeful that further discussions between Canada and the U.S. will lead to a fair outcome.
For now, local businesses and consumers are encouraged to support Canadian-made products and services to help strengthen the economy during this period of uncertainty.
