Supporting Local Businesses in the Face of U.S. Tariffs
With the United States erratically threatening unpredictable tariffs on Canadian goods, the Town of Stouffville remains committed to supporting local businesses and encourages residents to do the same. Choosing to Buy Canadian – Shop Local is more important than ever.
At the upcoming Council meeting on Wednesday, March 19, a staff report will propose potential amendments to the Town’s existing procurement policy to support a Buy-Canadian approach that continues to align with international trade laws. Stouffville is already well-positioned, with 97% of our vendors being Canadian, 94% based in Ontario, and 13% located in Stouffville. Only 2% of our vendors are from the U.S.
These are challenging times, and decisions made south of the border will have a ripple effect on businesses, residents, and communities. Town staff, in partnership with the Greater Stouffville Chamber, will work closely with regional, provincial, and federal governments, as well as industry associations, to assess the impact of these tariffs on procurement, businesses, and jobs in Stouffville. Given the interconnected supply chains, these tariffs could have significant effects across York Region, impacting both business operations and employment opportunities.
With over 900 businesses in Stouffville, it’s crucial to rally behind local enterprises. In addition to ongoing business support, the Town will continue to promote initiatives to support local economic growth.
To further engage with the business community, the Greater Stouffville Chamber, in partnership with my office and Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton, will host a Tariff Town Hall on Thursday, March 27 at 7 PM. This forum will provide us an opportunity to listen, learn, and explore how municipal leaders can best support local entrepreneurs. Additionally, we are launching a Business Survey at townofws.ca/tariffsurvey to gather key insights that will help shape our advocacy efforts with higher levels of government.
Our Economic Development team continues to work alongside the Greater Stouffville Chamber to navigate these economic challenges. We are also collaborating with municipalities across York Region to explore advocacy strategies and countermeasures.
While these uncertainties may not disappear overnight, please know that we are here to support you. Together, we will work to strengthen our local economy and ensure businesses in Stouffville remain resilient.