Canada’s prosperity was never given; it was earned. It was earned by the greatest our country has to offer, our people. Those who work in the steel mills of Hamilton, the medical research institutions of Brampton, the auto plants of Windsor, and the small businesses in Aurora.
It is built by the hands of workers and community leaders in Thunder Bay, St. Catharines and Sault Ste. Marie. But tariffs will shake the very foundations of our industries, raising costs for families, and putting local jobs at risk. Canada’s mayors must speak up and work together to protect our communities in the face of this threat.
This is not the first time Canada has faced external pressures, and it will not be the last in my lifetime. However, we have never been a nation that yields to those pressures, we rise above it. In times of challenge, we as a nation do not falter, it isn’t in our country’s DNA. We do not divide. We stand together. And in that unity, we find our greatest strength that no external pressures and economic weaponization could defeat.
Yet today, a vital part of our economy stands at risk. Our businesses, both large and small, are the backbone of our communities. They employ our neighbours, drive economic growth, and enrich the character of our cities. Now, they are caught in the grip of economic pressures beyond their ability to manage.
The impact of tariffs undermines the very foundation of our local economies. By raising the cost of our exports to the United States, these tariffs place an unfair burden on Canadian manufacturers, farmers, and small business owners. As prices rise and markets tighten, many will struggle to maintain their competitive edge, risking job loss, and stunned growth. The overarching ripple effect will be felt throughout all of our communities, they will impact our neighbours and will weaken our community’s economic stability that generations have fought so hard to build.
In times of crisis, we rely on our leaders to address challenges with resolve. That leadership must come from all levels of government. This is not just a federal issue, nor is it only border cities that will be affected. Canada’s mayors must join our federal and provincial leaders in this fight. We must identify the businesses in our communities that are the most vulnerable and act — not with hesitation, but with urgency. The strength of our community depends on their survival.
To do so, we must confront economic pressures head-on. Current financial policies have made access to capital increasingly difficult. Although there have been some significant changes, such as interest rate cuts, we cannot wait for solutions from somewhere else. Canada’s mayors can create funding structures that will sustain our small businesses through the worst of what lies ahead. If we value their role in shaping our communities, we must stand with them now.
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Brampton has already stepped forward to lead the charge, standing with our local businesses and paving the way for new enterprises to rise and meet the challenges of these economic pressures. Through our InvestBrampton initiative we have set forth the path of helping our business thrive and help any new business grow. This includes waiving the city’s portion of development charges on all qualified office spaces that support critical industries such as research and lab space, manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and technology.
MDA Space used this incentive for their main building and the expansion beside it as they were awarded a $1-billion contract from the Canadian Space Agency to design and deliver the Canadarm3 for use in the new Lunar Gateway that will orbit the moon.
While we may not be able to shield every business from the economic pressures, it is our duty to take decisive action to safeguard the very foundation of our communities. We as local leaders need to rise to the moment and be united with the purpose of aiding our communities. We must embrace bold initiatives, working hand in hand, work across the political divide, to strengthen our communities and ensure that, through adversity, we emerge not just intact, but stronger than ever before.
We are producers in Brampton.
From making cars to batteries. From mattresses to toothpaste, from groceries to everyday essentials, Brampton produces great products for Canadians, Americans and for the world.
The federal government is responding in kind and as a big city mayor, I will add my voice, loudly, to the chorus of Canadians appalled by the U.S. decision to unjustly attack and punish our country.
But, if we stand tall, and be united, we will get through this.
We must speak with one voice. From every level of government, from every sector of industry, and from every corner of the country.
— Patrick Brown is the Mayor of Brampton