Local municipalities call for united front with N.Y. as tariff threat looms

Ahead of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration — and the steep tariffs that could come with it — municipalities across eastern Ontario are calling on their counterparts in New York state to stand in a united front. 

The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC), which represents 103 municipalities, reached out to the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) on Friday proposing to meet to discuss their allyship. 

"We must work together to ensure any action from the new United States president-elect protects our shared economic interests," read the letter from EOWC chair Bonnie Clark. 

"The work of building a more inclusive and prosperous economy for both the United States and Canada has never been more urgent — or more important. Jobs depend on it, affordability depends on it, and overall the EOWC believes we are stronger working together." 

It comes as Trump's been threatening to slap 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods once he retakes office — which is today. 

In an interview with CBC, Clark said the letter is an additional effort to build the alliance between the countries alongside Premier Doug Ford's "Fortress Am-Can" strategy.

"We are in full force behind the premier. And we are very concerned how the 25 per cent tariffs could impact our communities, businesses and jobs," she said.

"It does affect Canada, but it also does affect our neighbours to the south as well. They're concerned also."

In a statement to CBC, Mark LaVigne, the deputy director of the NYSAC said his association and its members are also concerned about the tariffs and accepted the invitation to have a "cross-country dialogue." 

He said the meeting will be arranged in the coming weeks. 

The letter was also sent to the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Cities Initiatives, and according to Clark, they have agreed to meet with EOWC as well.

Skeptical of hike

Although Trump has been threatening to hike tariffs for months now, some are skeptical of the truth behind it.

"We really need to hear what type of tariffs are going to be thrown our way, if any at all, and what industries it's going to affect," said Mark Kelly, president of the Prescott-Russell Chamber of Commerce. 

But Corinna Smith-Gatcke, warden for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, says if the tariffs do get implemented, her region will be in trouble.

"All that we know is that should they go down any of the paths that they've identified, we will see an immediate economic impact and a loss of jobs," said Smith-Gatcke, who's also mayor of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.  

In her county, there are two Canada-U.S. border crossings: the Thousand Islands Bridge and the Ogdensburg-Prescott Border Crossing. Both see a significant number of transport trucks pass through daily, she said.

According to EOWC's latest data from 2021, eastern Ontario exports over $43 billion outside its regional boundaries every year. 

"I truly believe this will hurt them as much as it hurts us, and honestly, I don't understand the rationale behind this," Smith-Gatcke said.

"It really is going to be us as Canadians to come together and stand firm regardless of what political affiliation that you have or you're against, because when it comes right down to it…  this is what's going to hurt all of us," she said.