Partners in Thunder Bay, Ont., look to educate public, engage businesses as tariff threat looms

As Canadians grapple with how a potential trade war with the U.S. could affect them, the Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) is looking to bring the conversation to the local level.

The library is hosting a panel discussion called "Tariffs and Turmoil: What Trump's Trade War Could Mean for You."

The goal is to educate community members about the impact of potential tariffs in Thunder Bay, and how they can prepare ahead of time.

"It was really important for us as a major public institution and a source of community trust to come out with some real information," said the TBPL's CEO, Richard Togman.

On Saturday, U.S. president Donald Trump imposed a 25 per cent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as an extra 10 per cent tariff on imports from China. Energy resources in Canada would also see a 10 per cent tariff.

The U.S. administration said the purpose of the tariffs was to prevent illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the border.

After speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday — who committed to ramp up Canada's $1.3 billion border security plan — the Trump administration decided to pause the tariffs for 30 days.

The TBPL panel discussion will feature:

• Karl Skogstad, associate professor of economics at Lakehead University.
• Toby Rollo, associate professor of political science at Lakehead University.
• Sarah Lewis, senior manager of economic advisory at Deloitte.
• Charla Robinson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.

"A lot of people don't have access to university-level professors or get to talk directly to the president of the chamber of commerce," said Togman.

"It was a really amazing opportunity for us to connect directly with local people in our region and get some experts to explain to them, at the level of everyday people, what this actually might mean."

'There are winners and there are losers'

Much of the tariff concerns in northern Ontario have revolved around the impact on the softwood lumber industry, as well as brewing companies and exporters that send almost all their goods to the U.S.

The cost of living is another concern shared among Thunder Bay residents.

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Skogstad, one of the panelists at next week's event, is currently teaching a course on international trade. The tariff threat has sparked many conversations with his students.

"I think having the opportunity to actually sit down and even talk to someone about it in a familiar environment, this could be a lot more reassuring and a lot more informative than trying to work your way through a number of different articles and videos online, not knowing what to trust and what to believe," Skogstad said of the upcoming library panel. 

Drawing on his own expertise, Skogstad said consumers should be prepared for higher prices for goods purchased from the U.S., while keeping in mind products assembled in Canada with parts imported south of the border.

As for industries, he said firms will have to consider their vulnerability to tariffs and what they can do to remain competitive. Retaliatory tariffs, and the low value of the Canadian dollar, may work in their favour, he added.

"Whenever you move from restricted trade to free trade or free trade to restricted trade, there are winners and there are losers in that process," Skogstad said. "We can't necessarily claim everybody's better off or everybody's worse off."

LISTEN | Jason Rasevych: Indigenous business and the threat of tariffs

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While potential tariffs loom, we hear from the president of the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association about how first nations in Northwestern Ontario could be impacted.

When it comes to the push to buy Canadian goods, Skogstad said that while consumer choices are always driven by prices, patriotism is also playing a role.

"Consumers will continue to look at the prices trying to get the best deal, and that might mean just naturally buying more Canadian products.

"But they also might just seek out those Canadian products regardless as an attempt to rally around the flag, as it were, in this period of strife with our American friends."

Thunder Bay chamber, CEDC seek feedback

Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and the city's Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) have teamed up to compile a list of local businesses that export to the U.S.

The organizations are encouraging businesses to complete an online survey, launched a few weeks ago, which also gives them the chance to express their needs for support.

Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC, said they've been having regular conversations with the provincial and federal governments about potential stabilization funding or opportunities to support affected businesses.

"We want to ensure that northern Ontario businesses, our specific impacts, are included as they're thinking about what the governments can do in response," said Taylor.

"As well, for our own purposes, as to whether or not there's something that the CEDC or the chamber can do specifically."

More information about the survey can be found on the CEDC's website. Meanwhile, the TBPL's panel discussion will be held at the Waverley Resource Library on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., and is free to attend.