With new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods expected to be announced later today, the City of Brantford is launching a “Buy Canadian, Shop Local” campaign aimed at encouraging residents and businesses to support homegrown products and services.
The initiative builds on recommendations recently approved by the City’s Trade and Procurement Working Group, which is implementing a series of strategies to shield Brantford’s economy from external trade pressures. These include Buy Canadian policies, increased support for local businesses, and strengthened regional collaboration on trade-related challenges.
Mayor Kevin Davis underscored the need for collective action during uncertain times:
“Recognizing tariffs imposed by the U.S. pose a significant challenge to our local businesses, manufacturers, and workers, it is more important than ever to strengthen our local economy and be resilient in the face of uncertainty. By choosing to buy Canadian and shopping locally, we can lessen the impacts of these tariffs and show our strong and continued support for our community.”
Among the City’s new measures is a review of municipal procurement policies, with a focus on prioritizing Canadian suppliers whenever feasible. Local businesses will also have access to a suite of resources designed to help them adapt to shifting trade dynamics. These materials will be regularly updated and made available on the City’s U.S. Tariff Resources Webpage at advantagebrantford.ca/USTrade.
The campaign further recognizes the vital role that Canadian subsidiaries of international firms play in sustaining local jobs and economic activity. City officials say the campaign isn’t just about supporting small businesses, but about encouraging choices that benefit Brantford’s economic ecosystem as a whole.
Residents are being called on to take simple but impactful actions — like choosing Canadian-made goods and supporting neighborhood retailers — to help maintain economic stability in the face of global trade uncertainty.
