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During a meeting Wednesday, Toronto city council members unanimously agreed to fight U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian imports — if they come to pass after the 30-day reprieve.
Mayor Olivia Chow called Trump’s threatened tariffs “a senseless economic attack.”
“We will unite behind our team Canada, and as a city council, we will unite with our local citizens,” she said.
Coun. Mike Colle introduced a motion at the meeting asking for the city to create its own Buy Canadian Campaign.
“This is an opportunity for us to step above the petty politics,” said Colle. “Let’s get to thinking about Canada.”
The campaign will prompt Canadians to buy domestic products rather than those imported from the U.S., Chow said, noting it will also support and prioritize Canadian workers.
“Honoured to be able to put my name to this motion,“ said Coun. Vincent Crisanti, one of a handful of councillors who made speeches about their pride in being Canadian.
“Our pride, speaker, is a defining trait of the true north, strong and free,” Crisanti said.
Coun. Brad Bradford agreed with the campaign to buy local, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses.
“I don’t think we can expect small businesses, the mom-and-pop shops to get through this alone,” said Bradford. “There is a role for our local government to play in supporting them, we need to reward businesses that are going to be trying to do the right thing, to keep people employed, to switch up those supply chains and to buy local.”
City manager Paul Johnson told council Wednesday that he is actively looking into whether a blanket ban on American products is in Toronto’s best interest, saying a complete ban “would not be prudent” for the City of Toronto.
City council also voted unanimously in favour of refuting Trump’s suggestion that Canada become the 51st state.
“We continue to send a clear message to the Trump Administration that Canada is not for sale and we’ll push back and continue to push back on all levels of government,” said Coun. Chris Moise.
On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the U.S. President discussed the 25 per cent tariff issued by Trump through an executive order on Feb. 1 and agreed to put a pause on his promised tariffs.
