DAN CEARNS The Standard
UXBRIDGE: The Township of Uxbridge is supporting a “Buy Canadian” policy, in principle, after, United States President, Donald Trump announced tariffs on a number of Canadian imports.
The decision was made, at a meeting, on Monday, February 3rd. Under the decision, “any purchases from U.S. Manufacturers, exceeding $1,000, requires” approval from the Township’s CAO, and the policy will be in place until trade relations between the two countries “have been normalized.”
“It’s a volatile time in our relations between Canada and the U.S. We’re in a trade war with our best friends and our relatives,” Mayor Dave Barton said. “This is unprovoked. This will make us 'both' weaker long term.”
He also asked people not to let partisan politics get in the way of national unity on this issue.
“There’s going to be significant job losses, there’s going to be significant government spending, to fill the gaps, and we need to make some very bold actions and our leaders need to make some very bold actions. This is not the time to trash elected representatives, even when they’re in an election, or they said they are going to step down.”
CAO Kristi Honey noted, the Township doesn’t “procure a lot directly from the U.S.” Ward 4 Councillor, Willie Popp called this decision “a nice step to defend our territory.”
Ward 1 Councillor, Pam Beach stated her support for the motion as well, noting the importance of “supporting our manufacturers and our farmers.”
With the motion being approved, in principle, CAO Honey has authority to make any informed edits to the policy she feels are necessary. The policy will be placed on the Township website, once it has been refined.
Township officials were asked if this new policy will have any impact on the current Uxbridge budget.
“I don’t think we know that, but certainly the tariffs could. If you think of things, like, plow trucks are manufactured in the United States, I believe. So you start thinking of a 25 percent tariff on a snowplow, that gets to be about $100,000,” Mayor Barton said. “Certainly, this is going to be a very difficult time and there are going to be a lot of moving parts with the Township of Uxbridge, with the Region of Durham, and as a country. We need to be flexible as we manage this crisis.”
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