Saravanamuttoo: Four ways the mayor can take on tariff threats

Ottawa City Hall should focus on tariff counter-measures it can control. Photo by Errol McGihon /POSTMEDIAArticle content

It is clear by now that U.S. President Donald Trump has Canada in the crosshairs. While he has threatened, paused, levied and equivocated on his tariff threats, it is evident that Canada is now, at the very least, in economic conflict with our closest neighbour and largest trading partner. Trump’s attempts to undermine and destabilize us are unlikely to end soon.

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And while Canadians quite ordinarily complain about all manner of government action or inaction, these times are not ordinary. Canadians are looking to the authorities for leadership and assurance.

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Federal and provincial governments have responded strongly to Trump — by imposing retaliatory tariffs, by ripping up deals, and by pulling American products off shelves. But what about the third level of government — municipalities — and specifically the City of Ottawa?

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It would be easy for City Hall to say this is above its pay grade. But Trump has created an all-hands-on-deck moment for Canada. Citizens need leadership and assurance to come from local authorities too.

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City Hall has already echoed the basic call to buy Canadian whenever possible. It has looked at U.S. procurement that can be cancelled. It has joined the call for freer inter-provincial trade. But we need more. If I were mayor, I’d focus on four areas where the city can rise to the occasion.

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• First, I would push back and challenge any local personalities who are enabling Trump. While it doesn’t make sense for local politicians to challenge national figures such as Wayne Gretsky or Kevin O’Leary, I would call out Tobi Lütke, the CEO of Ottawa-headquartered Shopify, who criticized Canada’s retaliation against U.S. tariffs as “simply the wrong choice.” Lütke’s comments should not go unchecked.

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• Second, I would convene local business interests to better understand the potential impact of U.S. trade action on our local economy. Sutcliffe held an emergency call with the local business improvement associations and other industry representatives. What we need next is a round table that directly involves business owners and operators to hear first-hand how local firms will be impacted by trade action. Then I could advocate with federal and provincial counterparts to have local concerns addressed through support programs for targeted sectors.