Municipalities across Canada are debating how they should respond to the U.S. tariffs, including the City of North Vancouver.
City council unanimously approved a new “responding to the United States tariffs through local government action” policy to support the economy in a council meeting March 10.
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods and 10 per cent on energy exported from the country on March 4, according to the B.C. Government's website. Two days later, the president put a pause on tariffs for some goods until April 2.
The U.S. slapped a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum products March 12, then leading the Canadian federal government to impose reciprocal tariffs on a total of $29.8 billion imported goods.
CNV Mayor Linda Buchanan brought forward the policy to council, listing tasks staff will take on to help local and Canadian economies thrive.
Council is directing staff to work with local business and community economic development organizations to look into ways to promote a “buy local / buy Canadian” campaign in response to U.S. tariffs. Some organizations include the Lower Lonsdale Business Improvement Area (LLBIA), North Vancouver Chamber, North Shore Tourism Association, LOCO BC and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
Staff will also work with regional organizations to develop a response strategy that reflects collective economic influence of B.C. municipalities, a staff report reads.
“I think supporting our local economy amid broader economic challenges – especially in the face of the U.S. tariffs, which are very real and immediate – is more important than ever and they cannot be ignored,” Buchanan said. “These trade measures put local jobs, businesses and our broader economy at risk.”
“This is a moment that demands leadership,” she added. “This is not just about responding to an unprovoked trade war, it is about protecting livelihoods and strengthening the economic foundation of every corner of this province, and this is just the beginning.”
Council is also directing staff to create an “internal roundtable” to look into a rapid response to tariffs and other economic challenges facing the city, including directions on how to follow through with a plan.
One suggestion Buchanan made in the report was a potential adjustment to the city’s business licensing process, allowing businesses to expand operations through a “split-licence” to remove red tape and barriers in economic uncertainty.
Staff will also get busy reading the city’s regulations and policies to find immediate and long-term strategies to respond to economic threats like tariffs and supply chain disruptions.
Councillors on board with plan
All councillors voted in favour of the plan, with many expressing support to shop locally or in Canada.
Coun. Tony Valente and Angela Girard echoed buying local and Canadian products, but were still surprised to find the country in this situation.
“It’s a harsh reality that we find ourselves in this current situation – reacting to what feels a lot like betrayal, so I fully support the team Canada approach,” Valente said.
Valente asked staff when looking into the plan to consider some of the trade agreement rules with partners like Mexico and the European Union under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement to ensure they still honour the agreements.
“It’s important that we realize we’re not alone in this actually, and others will be targeted as well and we need to stand with them,” he said.
Coun. Shervin Shahriari and Don Bell also voiced support for the plan, but noted the issue is quite complex.
Shahriari said every business has a supply chain, and each part can vary if they are Canadian or American owned. He suggested there should be a caring approach to the policy to make sure the city applies a fair policy to local businesses.
“Not all Americans like these tariffs, a lot of them have valued the almost family relationship we’ve had for decades – hundreds of years – between the United States and Canada,” Bell said. “I refer to it not as the U.S. I refer to it as the Trump administration that really declared an economic war on Canada and several other countries.”
District of West Vancouver also issued a statement regarding the tariffs on March 13, stating they will buy Canadian products when reasonable options exist.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
https://bsky.app/profile/abbyluciano.bsky.social
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