Whereas the tariffs imposed by the White House are wreaking havoc on the global economic order and posing serious economic threats to communities on both sides of the Canada-US border; and,
Whereas the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has contributed to Team Canada by working closely with the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories, and forging strong relationships with American municipalities and municipal associations to raise awareness about the benefits of free and fair trade between Canada and the negative economic impacts that tariffs pose to their local communities; and,
Whereas the turn towards protectionism by the world’s largest economy and Canada’s top trading partner creates long-term uncertainty for the Canadian economy, necessitating a pivot to new trading relationships, both in Canada and abroad; and,
Whereas eliminating internal trade barriers could allow Canada’s economy to grow by up to $200 billion per year; and,
Whereas numerous Canadian municipalities have committed to re-evaluate their procurement policies in the context of this trade dispute; and,
Whereas municipal governments are working with their local business associations to find new export markets, both within Canada and around the world; and,
Whereas diversifying Canada’s trading relationships will require a long-term effort to establish new international markets; and,
Whereas increasing the flow of goods east-west across Canada and through Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic ports will require investment in trade infrastructure, including municipal infrastructure such as municipal roads, bridges and public transit infrastructure.
Now therefore, be it resolved:
- That the Council of the Town of Whitby calls on the federal, provincial and territorial governments to reduce remaining internal trade barriers on an urgent basis;
- That the Council of the Town of Whitby calls on the federal government to provide advice and guidance to municipalities on how to increase the procurement of goods and services from alternative markets;
- That the Council of the Town of Whitby calls on the federal government to provide support to municipal governments and their local economic development agencies, to develop, enhance or expand their international trade strategies, and conduct and/or expand trade missions and other trade promotion activities to help local businesses establish new markets; and,
- That the Council of the Town of Whitby calls on the federal government to ensure that municipal infrastructure is eligible for federal investment through new federal trade infrastructure programs.