How local governments in B.C. want to 'choose Canada' in the face of U.S. tariff threat
Vancouver latest municipality to expedite plan to embrace ‘Team Canada’ approach
Vancouver city councillors have unanimously voted to align the city with a so-called 'Team Canada' approach other levels of government are taking in response to the U.S. tariff threat.
A motion moved by the sole opposition councillor on council, the Green's Pete Fry and subsequently supercharged by the mayor's office was embraced by all of of council Tuesday.
"We are completely united on this issue, and we're working together to be incredibly nimble," said Mayor Ken Sim.
"And really being prepared," added Fry. "I think that's a big part of our response … coming together to find solutions to support our local economy and support Canada."
The motion was originally brought as urgent new business by Fry last week, but was elevated to a special council meeting Tuesday.
Fry's original motion responded to a call from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking consumers to "choose Canada," in response to the U.S. tariff threat, by purchasing Canadian products and reducing the number of products imported from the U.S.
On Monday, Trump placed a 25 per cent tariff on all aluminum and steel imports, including Canada.
And other tariffs from the U.S. are still a possibility after months of threats. Canada won a 30 day reprieve from 25 per cent tariffs on virtually all its goods and 10 per cent on Canadian oil.
Trump has said the tariffs are necessary to deal with what he sees as border security issues around fentanyl and illegal immigration.
WATCH | CBC News' Katie DeRosa explains B.C.'s Trump's tariff pain:
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, in concert with Fry over the last week, vastly expanded the motion to ultimately chart a path that would bolster Vancouver's economy to withstand uncertainty that could be a hallmark of President Trump's four-year term.
"There's a lot of fear out there now and we're all working together to make sure we're making this place a little better for everyone, " said Sim.
Council ideas are preliminary and will require staff to investigate and report back on them, but they include:
- Establishing an internal roundtable to facilitate the rapid response to tariffs.
- Possible temporary fee reductions for patio permits and special event permits.
- Possible property tax deferral for commercial and/or light industrial properties.
- Exploring so-called split business licences for businesses to offer more services without multiple licences.
The motion also calls for the creation of a mayor's task force, "with a mandate to examine new pathways to make Vancouver the most competitive city for business in North America, including an aspirational goal to achieve an annual three per cent growth in GDP."
The goal comes from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, which said its three per cent challenge to local governments is meant to ensure financial security and improved affordability.
"The best thing the city can do is act within its powers to make it easier to set up and run a business," said CEO Bridgitte Anderson in a statement.
"By speeding up permitting, reducing red tape, controlling costs, taxes and fees and continuing to support public safety, we will see meaningful benefits for our community."
WATCH | CBC News explains B.C. and U.S. trade relationship:
Tamara Krawchenko, associate professor in public administration at the University of Victoria and chair of the school's local governance hub, said Vancouver has been a leader in procurement policies in the past and Tuesday's motion could inspire other local governments.
"I think that B.C. might be quite particularly progressive in thinking about sustainability and local supply chains in procurement at the local level," she said. "And I don't know that that's actually true across Canada."
Other local B.C. governments are making plans for "buy Canada" or already have them in place in relation to procurement and services.
On Feb. 3, Delta councillors passed a motion to have staff write to B.C. Premier David Eby to ask the province to, "amend all applicable legislation to allow cities to accept only Canadian businesses in procurement bids.
The next day on Feb. 4, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley posted a notice of motion calling for a 'buy local and buy Canadian," from all residents and a similar approach be implemented for the city's procurement, "where feasible and in accordance with trade agreements and best value principles."
Already buying Canadian?
An email from City of Vancouver staff said in 2024, the city did direct business with 224 U.S. vendors worth $6.1 million dollars Cdn. From 2009 to the present, the city has done business with 32,000 vendors, with the vast majority, 91 per cent, of them Canadian.
Eight per cent of suppliers, 2,451, were from the United States, while one per cent, 189, were from other countries.
In a report going to councillors in New Westminster on Tuesday, staff said of the 2,788 vendors the city has or currently uses, 2,699, or 97 per cent, are Canadian vendors.
"The city's practices around procuring goods and/or services has always been to source Canadian made alternatives first before sourcing foreign made products," said the report.
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