Northern Ontario political voices urge people to be strong in the face of Trump tariffs
People being urged to support Ottawa's response, and buy Canadian products
Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker is among several politicians in northern Ontario criticizing the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to levy a tariff on goods entering the United States from Canada.
"The decision to impose a tariff on Canadian goods is not just poor economic policy — it is reckless, short sighted and will hurt businesses and workers on both sides of the border. There are no real winners in a trade war, just economic hardship for both Canada and the United States, said Shoemaker in a weekend statement.
He said these tariffs create uncertainty and disrupt a trade relationship that has long benefited both nations, and said it is nowhere more evident than in his city, across the bridge from the border city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
"The twin Saults, in Ontario and Michigan, share an economy, a history of co-operation and an international bridge that links us together. Every day, thousands of Canadians and Americans cross this bridge for work, shopping or even just to play hockey. We all benefit from this reciprocity," said the mayor.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced late Saturday the federal government will hit back against the U.S. and that Canada won't stand for an attack from a country that was supposed to be an ally and friend.
Ottawa plans to immediately place retaliatory tariffs on a wide range of American goods as payback for Trump's attempt to wreck the Canadian economy, Trudeau said.
This will include immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods as of Tuesday, Feb. 4, followed by further tariffs on $125 billion worth of American products in 21 days' time, to allow Canadian companies and supply chains to find alternatives.
"When Donald Trump imposed arbitrary tariffs on Canadian steel in 2018, our government fought back, countering them dollar-for-dollar, and we won. That is what we will do this time, while providing support and relief to workers and industry that will be affected," said Sault Ste. Marie Liberal MP, Terry Sheehan, in a statement released on Sunday.
"Our community and our country pulled together then with great resolve and our region is already answering the call for a united Team Canada," said Sheehan.
Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre offered similar sentiments in a statement to CBC on Sunday, saying the city has long been a trusted partner in supplying the United States with the critical and rare earth minerals essential for clean energy, advanced technology, and national security.
"Our region is home to the resources that have powered North America for generations, including military efforts dating back to the world wars," said Lefebvre.
The mayor, who was a two-term Liberal MP for Sudbury before heading to city hall, says the U.S. is a net importer of 43 minerals from Canada, and relies on this country for 50 to 80 per cent of its needs, including nickel.
He says he will be advocating strongly for an end to to what he calls "these damaging tariffs," and for policies that support a strong and resilient mining sector.
"Our mining industry is vital to securing a stable and reliable supply chain and we cannot afford to undermine it."
The government says Canada's tariff plan will be far-reaching and will include everyday items such as American beer, wine, bourbon, fruits and fruit juices, vegetables, perfume, clothing, major household appliances, furniture, sports equipment, and materials like lumber and plastics.
"Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District will stand up for Canada. We will stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of this completely unacceptable threat to workers, businesses, and our way of life. I am calling on Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District to make a very conscious effort to buy local and buy Canadian," said Sheehan.
Mayor Shoemaker also promised to continue to work on the issue with fellow border city mayors.
"I will continue to share this message with my American counterparts while working closely with the Border Mayors Alliance. I have been briefed on the expected impacts of the tariffs on local industries, in particular Algoma Steel. The City stands ready to support the actions of the federal and provincial governments in any way it can," said Shoemaker.