Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster has issued a statement in response to the United States’ proposed trade tariffs, calling the threat as ‘unwarranted and disheartening’.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, campaigning for re-election, is scheduled to make two stops in Durham today (February 5). He will meet with workers and tour a Kubota Canada facility in Pickering before traveling to Oshawa for an event with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). He is expected to make statements regarding the proposed U.S. tariffs that have been postponed until next month.
Durham Region CEO and all mayors have urged residents to buy local (see below).
Meanwhile, Clarington Mayor Foster, in a separate statement, said: “The intimidation we are currently receiving from our southern neighbours is both unwarranted and disheartening.”
He reaffirmed Canada’s resilience, stating: “We don’t need to make Canada great again. We’re still great, eh?”
Foster emphasized Canada’s long-standing economic ties with the U.S. and warned that the tariffs would harm workers on both sides of the border and increase costs for various goods.
Acknowledging uncertainty in U.S. trade policy, Foster urged Clarington residents to prioritize local and Canadian-made products, “you can find Canadian goods and services through the Clarington Board of Trade and local BIAs. Visit our downtowns and seek out Canadian-produced goods to help support our local economy,” he added.
Foster referred to the Clarington Vendor Directory, “businesses can add their information to connect with municipal staff responsible for procurement. The directory will help staff identify businesses that can provide quotes for projects, services and goods within Clarington,” he said.
Additionally, the General Government Committee directed staff to explore options for restricting the municipality’s purchase of U.S. products and services in an effort to prioritize Canadian businesses.
Durham Region, proper, is one BIG pool of (most) mayors bowing down, ultimately, to the World Economic Forum. It makes me sick! Their directives come from the Region. Doug Ford (?) gave Pickerings’ mayor “superpowers” to skip the usual process, and he’s wielding that sword. The council has moved meetings online because they are “afraid” of … the people. Pickles will not get my vote in the next election. I must end on a high note; I loved watching the meeting online. Please don’t send your sponsorship “police” to my house with a cease and desist order not to watch.