Action on Tariffs and Trade

Tariffs and trade disruptions have the potential to seriously harm Ontario’s economy with significant impacts on communities. Ontario’s municipalities want to do their part. To support broader federal and provincial efforts, AMO has:

• Highlighted Ontario municipalities commitment to playing our part in protecting our shared prosperity in Ontario and Canada by writing to the Prime Minister, the Premier of Ontario and federal and provincial opposition leaders in early December 2024;
• Reaffirming and strengthening this commitment through a statement issued by AMO’s Board of Directors in January, noting that changes in US immigration and social policy could trigger migration with massive implications for municipal resources; and
• Calling on the Ontario government to work with AMO to effectively harness municipal procurement as a tool in federal and provincial tariff responses. 

AMO is focused on making the case for Ontario municipalities as a critical part of stimulus efforts, including the need for federal and provincial investments to:

• Mitigate cost escalation on municipal capital projects to continue to ensure continuity for the construction sector and related industries;
• Increase and repair social housing stock in the face of excess residential construction capacity and growing housing need; and
• Offset broader fiscal impacts on the municipal sector of potential economic slowdown.

Thanks to the many municipalities who have submitted data to support this work. Final analysis and information will be provided to members as it becomes available. 

AMO continues to support the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in its efforts as part of a coordinated federal strategy. FCM’s Canada-wide virtual listening tour is gathering municipal trade-related concerns, questions and local initiatives at canada-usa@fcm.ca.