Canada’s largest city and economic capital says it will implement 10 action items to support Canadian businesses and workers in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, alongside members of her economic action team, unveiled the plan at a press conference on Monday. Chow said the short-term actions for immediate relief will cover the next 30 days.
Some of the key measures include prioritizing Canadian suppliers in Toronto procurement, allowing industrial properties to defer taxes for six months for cash flow relief, as well as launching a “Love Local” campaign that will encourage people to choose Canadian-made products.
“Canada is facing a senseless, harmful trade war. People are feeling anxious. They’re worried about their jobs, the cost of food, the cost of living,” Chow said.
Toronto has been actively working with federal and provincial governments to support a co-ordinated approach to address the effects of U.S. protectionism on businesses and workers, the city previously said.
The City of Toronto said other measures include partnering with regional municipalities and the Ontario government to reduce reliance on U.S.-based suppliers. As well as supporting and promoting Toronto’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Trump has targeted Canada since his January inauguration, mocking the country’s leadership and stating it would be better off as America’s 51st state.
He has also threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports, citing a slew of ever-changing grievances against Ottawa, such as immigration, fentanyl and the banking system.
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Trump’s foreign economic policy has changed rapidly, and despite the threat remaining, Washington has been implementing carve-outs and 30-day reprieves for impacted nations.
However, Ottawa and the provinces have imposed their own measures, vowing not to remove them until the tariff threat is gone completely. Ottawa initially imposed 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods and expanded that list to include nearly $30 billion worth of more goods in response to Trump’s 25 per cent tariff on global steel and aluminum imports.
When it comes to the industrial property tax relief, the city said that initiative will be in place for payments from June 1 to Nov. 30. This policy is for owners experiencing financial hardship due to tariffs and no penalties or interest will be charged on late payments during the six-month deferral period.
The city said the estimated cost of the program is about $300,000 to $750,000 and the deferral is an application-based process with approval criteria
In terms of procurement policies, the city said American-based suppliers may be deemed ineligible to bid on new competitive contracts. They also noted new competitive contracts under $353,000 for goods and services and $8.8 million for construction will be awarded exclusively to Canadian suppliers.
“We will stand united as proud Canadians, and Toronto will emerge stronger than ever,” Chow said.
Chow added Toronto Fire Services is planning to purchase 17 made-in-Canada fire trucks for its fleet, dropping its deal to buy from a U.S. company.
She said the action plan is going to executive committee on Wednesday for approval, and then to council the following week.
Meanwhile, each province has introduced its own measures, the most common being the removal of American alcohol for purchase.
The Ontario government has banned American companies from bidding on public contracts and last week Premier Doug Ford paused a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states.
Vaughan, which is just north of Toronto, announced this month that it has banned U.S. suppliers from bidding on municipal contracts; Mississauga is also amending its procurement bylaw to prioritize Canadian and non-U.S. suppliers, especially for medium and high-value projects.
Over the weekend, Mississauga also joined the City of Barrie and West Lincoln Township in removing U.S. flags from city-owned facilities.
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