Councillor Spencer provided the following notice of motion to be included on the March 24, 2025 Council agenda:
WHEREAS the United States has imposed unjustified tariffs on Canada; and
WHEREAS tariffs would lead to massive job losses and economic instability in both countries; and
WHEREAS municipalities will be on the front lines of the economic fallout; and
WHEREAS municipalities have significant purchasing power through capital and infrastructure programs; and
WHEREAS Federal and Provincial leaders are encouraging Canadians to Buy Canadian; and
WHEREAS municipalities have traditionally been prevented by trade agreements from giving preference to Buy Canadian; and
WHEREAS municipalities can assist in the Team Canada effort to combat tariffs and support businesses in procurement for capital and infrastructure programs.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Tillsonburg Council:
Stand with Team Canada to persuade decision-makers that tariffs are not in the best interests of Canadian or American consumers and businesses; and
Endorse the federal and provincial Team Canada response and call for Buy Canadian; and
Call on the federal and provincial governments to work with municipalities on measures to protect Canadian consumers and businesses; and
Direct Town of Tillsonburg staff to ensure appropriate bidding and contract language is utilized to rely on Canadian companies only, where possible, within the purchasing thresholds of trade agreements municipalities are subject to.
Be it further resolved that the Town Clerk forward this resolution to the following organizations along with the request to endorse the same or similar:
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
- Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA)
- Oxford County MP & MPP