MINDEMOYA—The Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA) is encouraging member municipalities to support both provincial, federal and municipal organizations on measures they recommend in response to proposed US tariffs on Canadian goods.
Al MacNevin, mayor of the town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) and Manitoulin Island representative on the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) updated members of the MMA (at a meeting last week) on the next FONOM board meeting taking place later this month and the upcoming conference in May. “I’m sure it will be interesting to hear what effects the tariffs are having on rural and Northern municipalities. Things are changing very quickly for municipalities in Ontario and Canada and in sectors such as agriculture in regard to tariffs. It will be painful no matter what.”
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) indicated in a release February 1 that it, “Strongly condemns new US tariffs on Canadian products and warns of the severe consequences they will have on local economies across the country.”
“Municipalities are the backbone of the Canadian economy and the engine that drive growth, productivity and jobs,” said FCM president Rebecca Bligh. “Tariffs put local businesses, workers, and supply chains at risk. Any response to the actions of the US administration must be coordinated across all orders of government, as municipalities play a crucial role on Team Canada.”
Local governments have already been mobilizing. FCM, as the national voice of municipalities, has been working closely with federal and provincial partners and engaging with US counterparts, including the US Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, to defend local economies on both sides of the border, FCM noted. FCM representatives joined Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Washington, DC in February 11-12, alongside the Council of the Federation delegation. As well, FCM president Bligh and FCM Big City Mayors Caucus will meet with key federal ministers to ensure that Canada’s response protects local economies.
“Our priority is to defend Canadians’ best interests and protect the economy during this uncertain time,” added Ms. Bligh. “Municipalities will be essential partners in Canada’s response. We need to act decisively to protect Canadian jobs and communities.”
FCM will represent municipalities in any discussions about tariffs, retaliation measures, or direct support from federal and provincial governments.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), in a letter to the MMA dated February 11 indicated, “Tariffs and trade disruptions have the potential to seriously harm Ontario’s economy with significant impacts on communities. Ontario’s municipalities want to do their part.”
“To support broader federal and provincial efforts, AMO has: highlighted Ontario municipalities commitment to playing our part in protecting our shared prosperity in Ontario and Canada by writing to the Prime Minister, the Premier of Ontario and federal and provincial opposition leaders in early December 2024; reaffirming and strengthening this commitment through a statement issued by AMO’s board of directors in January, noting that changes in US immigration and social policy could trigger migration with massive implications for municipal resources; and calling on the Ontario government to work with AMO to effectively harness municipal procurement as a tool in federal and provincial tariff responses.”
“AMO is focused on making the case for Ontario municipalities as a critical part of stimulus efforts, including the need for federal and provincial investments to: mitigate cost escalation on municipal capital projects to continue to ensure continuity for the construction sector and related industries; increase and repair social housing stock in the face of excess residential construction capacity and growing housing need; and offset broader fiscal impacts on the municipal sector of potential economic slowdown.”
AMO continues to support FCM in its efforts as part of a coordinated federal strategy.
The MMA passed a resolution that states in part, “The US government has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods exported to the US, while Canada is imposing retaliatory tariffs on goods being imported from the USA. According to data from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, across Ontario municipalities are expected to spend between $250 and $290 billion on infrastructure in the next 10 years. Be it resolved that the MMA encourages member municipalities to support AMO and FCM and the provincial and federal government on the measures they have put in place in response to the proposed US tariffs on Canadian goods and ask that they take measures to protect the interests of Ontario in any upcoming trade negotiations. And further that the MMA encouraged member municipalities in implementing temporary procurement policies to implement a “Buy Local, Buy Canadian” campaign to encourage residents and businesses to purchase locally made and Canadian goods and services.”
