Border mayors say they're on the front line of the tariff war and need government help
St. Stephen, Woodstock join calls from other border mayors
Border mayors from across Canada say they're on the front line of the tariff war with the United States and are disproportionately suffering as a result.
Border communities "are at a breaking point," said Barbara Barrett, executive director of Frontier Duty Free Association, who moderated a virtual meeting of border mayors on Friday.
"We are calling on the federal government to step up now with targeted financial support and a plan that recognizes the unique vulnerabilities of border-dependent communities and the businesses that keep them alive."
And if help doesn't come soon, some businesses will close permanently, said Trina Jones, mayor of Woodstock, N.B.
"We know as border mayors for our communities, there already are businesses that are being impacted by the uncertainty," she said.
She said it feels "very reminiscent of the pandemic."
Jones said she'd like to see the same sort of government support extended now — and quickly. She said her community is already feeling the effects of reduced traffic.
She said residents feel "like they're in a holding pattern."
Mayors from border communities across the country expressed similar concerns. Together, they're calling on federal and provincial governments to help them through a challenging time.
The Border Mayors Alliance, which was formed in 2024, say they're being "disproportionately impacted" by tariffs and reduced cross-border travel.
"Border communities and businesses that rely on cross-border travel are facing a new economic crisis. Still recovering from the impact of pandemic-era border closures, border community businesses are now grappling with additional economic pressures that threaten their survival," the group said.
St. Stephen, N.B., Mayor Allan MacEachern said some border communities like his still haven't recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We need to know that our government's got our backs," he said.
MacEachern said border towns "rely on the movement of people and product. And when people and product don't cross our borders, it's a huge impact on our communities."
He said reduced traffic during the pandemic was "life-changing."
"And I don't want to see us go there."
MacEachern said border communities aren't just on the financial front lines, they're often face-to-face with their American neighbours.
He said it's easier for those who live further away from the border "not to participate, but for us, it's tough. It's tough and I don't want to spoil our relationships once again."
MacEachern said he hasn't seen any open hostility yet, but there's fear that it could happen.
Jones agreed.
"There's lots of fear, but there's really no hostility from what we can see," she said.
"We've been friendly neighbours for a long, long time and we don't see that changing."
The group of mayors is asking government to act quickly to come up with an aid package for communities affected by tariffs. As for whether border communities deserve a bigger piece of that pie, Jones said "it's tricky."
She said New Brunswick is particularly susceptible to the tariff war, "and maybe some of us need a little more help than others. And, the rest of the provinces might have to be kind."
MacEachern said it shouldn't be forgotten that New Brunswick border communities are the "gateway to the Atlantic provinces" and all land-based traffic funnels through them.
"So we got a lot of weight on our shoulders there. So it's just not New Brunswick that we're thinking of."
MacEachern said 26,000 fewer people crossed the New Brunswick-Maine border last month.
"That's a huge impact to us," he said.
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