Municipalities Align
Welcome to Municipal Affairs.
Today, we find ourselves at a pivotal crossroads. For months, United States President Donald Trump has made it clear—he intended to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Canada into the United States.
This weekend, President Trump made good on his promise. He imposed a 25% tariff on goods and 10% tariff on oil and gas.
This decision has cast a long shadow across border communities and threatens to disrupt one of the most successful trade relationships in the world.
This isn’t just about spreadsheets and trade statistics—it’s about jobs, families, and livelihoods on both sides of the border.
From Windsor to White Rock, and countless towns in between, Canadian mayors are witnessing the ripple effects of uncertainty firsthand. Together, we are stepping up.
That’s why the mayors of border communities have united as the Border Mayors Alliance—a national partnership formed to speak with one voice, advocate for our towns and cities, and safeguard the vital bonds of cross-border trade. I’m proud to serve as Chair of this important Alliance.
We are joined by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, the Chair of the Border Mayors Alliance, to discuss the impact the tariffs may have on the municipalities and how the organization plans to challenge the tariffs.
As Canadian communities brace for the fallout of potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, it’s clear that the stakes couldn’t be higher for our local economies. Municipalities are the backbone of the Canadian economy—the engine that drives growth, productivity, and jobs.
That’s why the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, or FCM, has been sounding the alarm. FCM President Rebecca Bligh has strongly condemned these tariffs, warning of the severe consequences they will have on local businesses, workers, and the supply chains that power our towns and cities.
FCM has been proactive, working hand-in-hand with federal and provincial partners and engaging with U.S. counterparts like the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. Their message is clear: local economies on both sides of the border are interconnected, and these tariffs put us all at risk.
In just a few days, FCM representatives will join Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Washington, D.C., as part of the Council of the Federation delegation, working to defend Canada’s economic interests. And before that, President Bligh and FCM’s Big City Mayors' Caucus will meet with key federal ministers to ensure Canada’s response is both strategic and effective.
President Bligh discusses FCM’s efforts, what municipalities are doing to mobilize, and how communities large and small can navigate this economic uncertainty.
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