Buy Canada or Bye Canada

Most Canadians are still reeling from the apparent betrayal by our supposed closest allies, as President Trump threatens punitive tariffs as a prelude to his not-really-joking aspiration to make Canada a 51st state.

I’ve spent a sleepless night on the eve of the Lunar New Year, fretting about what this means for our homeland. I put together a draft motion in the hopes that we can activate a logical and practical City response to these tariffs: Buy Canadian, prepare our strategies, analyze our exposure and opportunities, cut the red tape and prepare for nimble response and we anticipate supply chain disruptions and needs for businesses to pivot or die.

While we have seen a thirty day “reprieve” (until Trump decides otherwise) I hope my colleagues will support the, I’ve run it by Rebecca Bligh who has been very supportive but might not reflect the typical ABC mindset. Hopefully we can put partisan politics aside and GO CANADA .

Draft Motion (title TBD)

WHEREAS

1. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose unilateral 25% tariffs on Canadian exports to the US, and further punitive tariffs in the event of any Canadian retaliation, Trump’s tariffs are anticipated to destabilize the North American trading block and Canadian economy;
   
2. Experts suggest Trump’s tariffs could cost the Canadian economy $275 billion in GDP by 2030 and more than 200,000 in lost jobs;
   
3. On February 2, while proposing a temporary pause to his tariff agenda, President Trump reiterated his desire to see Canada become part of the United States. “‘What I’d like to see— Canada become our 51st state,’ Trump said in the Oval Office when asked what concessions Canada could offer to stave off tariffs.”; [1]
   
4. Prime Minister Trudeau has announced the federal government’s response to any Trump tarrifs with phased and targeted retaliatory tariffs, and a consumer call to action urging Canadians to “choose Canada”;
   
5. Provincial, territorial, municipal, regional, and First Nations governments from coast to coast are united in a collective Team Canada approach to respond to US economic threats and aggression;
   
6. Canada’s premiers have agreed to measures to strengthen internal trade and economic cooperation, and in BC, Premier Eby has suggested Crown Corporations halt buying American goods and services and instead buy Canadian goods and services first;
   
7. In response to tariff threats the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) has challenged B.C. politicians of all political stripes to adopt a three-per-cent annual GDP growth target; and
   
8. The benefits of buying local are well documented, according to Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB), 66 cents on average stay local for every dollar spent at a local business as the greatest share goes to procuring goods from other local, independent businesses, while according to the Independent BC report local businesses return 63% of revenue back in BC’s economy compared to 14% for multi-national companies, and according to the City’s own Retail-Commercial District Small Business Study, local independent businesses contribute to more vibrant Local Shopping Areas and play an important role in the livability and sustainability of the City’s neighbourhoods.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

1. THAT Council affirms and signals the City of Vancouver supports the Team Canada approach to align local, provincial, and national priorities as necessary to counter foreign policies designed to harm the Canadian economy or sovereignty.
2. THAT Council directs staff to initiate an urgent high-level review of capital projects, suppliers, procurement, and trade agreement exposure and opportunities to Buy Local / Buy Canadian and report back as soon as possible with immediate and long-term strategies supporting the Team Canada approach.
3. THAT Council directs the City’s Business and Economy Office to immediately begin work with local business and community economic development organizations (including but not limited to the BIA Partnership, LOCO BC, GVBOT, CFIB, Destination Vancouver) to explore opportunities to initiate and promote a new targeted Buy Local / Buy Canadian campaign in response to tariffs;FURTHER THAT the office is tasked to identify and report back with recommendations for streamlined, transparent and nimble City regulation for changes of use, and adaptation of business models to respond to tariffs, supply chain disruption, and GDP growth targets.

[1] TheHill.com, February 3 | Trump doubles down on floating Canada as 51st state amid tariff dispute