Amid the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada, the City of Toronto is actively working to protect its businesses, workers, and residents from the economic impacts of tariffs either imposed or threatened by the Trump administration.
As part of its efforts to safeguard the local economy, City Council will be considering The City of Toronto United States Tariff Response Action Plan between March 26 to March 28, which outlines several immediate steps Toronto is taking to mitigate the effects of tariffs on local businesses and sectors.
Part of the backdrop to these efforts is the Trump administration’s reinstatement of 25 per cent tariffs on all steel products and an increase to 25 per cent on aluminum imports into the U.S., which came into effect on March 12.
In response, the Canadian government imposed reciprocal tariffs on a list of steel products worth $12.6 billion and aluminum products worth $3 billion, as well as additional imported U.S. goods worth $14.2 billion, for a total of $29.8 billion.
To address these challenges, Toronto is also actively engaging with the federal and provincial governments to support a Team Canada approach and ensure that the City is ready to respond to proposed 25 per cent universal tariffs on all U.S. imports from Canada.
Among the immediate measures introduced in the Mayor’s Economic Action Plan in Response to U.S. Tariffs is increasing support for Canadian businesses through changes to the city’s procurement practices.
This will include favouring non-American suppliers to give preference to Canadian businesses as well as those from the EU and UK in competitive procurement.
Other steps include deferring property taxes to provide cashflow support to industrial properties, supporting local and Canadian businesses through a “Love Local” campaign, launching a promotional campaign for Toronto’s manufacturing and industrial sector, and partnering with Toronto-region municipalities and the province to reduce reliance on U.S.-based suppliers.
“Canada and the United States (U.S.) have one of the world’s most integrated and successful economic relationships. A more protectionist posture by the new U.S. administration and a series of economic policy announcements, including tariffs and rising to the threat of the annexation of Canada, have shattered the confidence of Canadians in this economic union, upon which the Canadian economy has long relied,” a city staff report reads.
“While the application of tariffs presents the immediate threat, the deep uncertainty and the risk of a new US political consensus in favour of economic nationalism, pose long-term threats to Toronto’s economy.”
The City is also looking to gather input from local businesses to understand how tariffs are affecting them through a five-minute survey that will help shape advocacy efforts and inform the development of business support programs.
A key part of the action plan is the Love Local Campaign, which was officially launched on Saturday by Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth), and Jennifer Lay, Executive Director of the Riverside BIA. The citywide call to action encourages Toronto residents to support locally-owned businesses.
In the face of Trump’s senseless trade war, the City of Toronto is stepping up with our “Love Local” campaign to give a boost to local businesses and workers.
Great to join @PaulaFletcherTO, @TABIANews and @RiversideBIA on Queen East this morning.
More:https://t.co/BkyDhI70Qq pic.twitter.com/EPvq5X6JIm
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) March 22, 2025
The campaign features large Love Local LED signs around the city, as a reminder to support local businesses across Toronto during this time.
Signs will be installed over the coming days at Toronto Public Library Agincourt Branch, Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square, East Lynn Park, St. Clements-Yonge Parkette, and Port Union Community Recreation Centre.
The campaign encourages you to support local businesses by shopping at locally-owned stores and markets, dining at locally-owned restaurants and cafes, purchasing directly from local artisans and service providers, and promoting local businesses on social media.
