Toronto Unveils Response to U.S. Tariffs at Press Conference, Launches Economic Action Plan

Mayor Olivia Chow unveiled City of Toronto United States Tariff Response: A Strategy to Protect Toronto Businesses, Workers, and Residents during a press conference at Fire Station 334 on Queens Quay West. With her economic action team by her side and a towering 40-foot Canadian flag in the background, Chow outlined a 10-point plan designed to mitigate the impact of new U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

Fred Alvarado – Local Journalism Initiative

The plan includes key initiatives such as deferring property taxes for affected industries, launching a “Love Local” campaign to encourage residents to support Canadian businesses, and preventing U.S.-based companies from bidding on city contracts. One of the first actions under this plan is the purchase of 17 new pumper trucks from a Canadian company, ensuring these critical firefighting vehicles are sourced locally.

Tariffs on all Canadian goods are set to take effect on April 2, while tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other exports are already impacting businesses. These trade measures have created significant uncertainty for Toronto’s economy, which accounts for 25 percent of Ontario’s GDP and facilitates approximately $123 billion in trade with the U.S. annually. As these challenges unfold, the City’s action plan seeks to strengthen local supply chains and safeguard Toronto’s economic resilience.

For Regent Park and Downtown East communities, where many small businesses are already navigating gentrification and economic pressures, this plan provides a realistic strategy to build resilience and protect jobs. However, city officials acknowledge that reducing Toronto’s reliance on U.S. suppliers will take time. City Manager Paul Johnson emphasized that transitioning to local suppliers could take months or even years but remains a necessary step toward long-term stability.

The staff report detailing the plan will be reviewed by the City’s Executive Committee on March 19, with a final decision expected from City Council by the end of the month.