Federal, provincial tariff relief should include municipalities, Ontario big city mayors say

Mayors of Ontario's big cities are calling on the federal and provincial governments to include them in any stimulus packages they launch to offset the impacts of U.S. tariffs, saying the money could be used for infrastructure projects.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said the group unanimously passed a resolution at its meeting on Friday, asking to be included in any federal or provincial tariff relief funds.

As the chair of Ontario's Big City Mayors, Meed Ward said the group believes municipal infrastructure projects could help put people to work at a time when many are facing job losses due to the tariffs. 

"We believe that infrastructure funding not only provides sustainability for projects into the future, but it gets our people to work at a time that there is great uncertainty," Meed Ward said. 

"In terms of how much, we will take whatever the federal and provincial governments want to give us."

Meed Ward said changes to the global trading system will affect businesses, communities, workers and municipalities. If people are laid off, stimulus packages could get them working again, she said.

"We will have an active and ready labour force. And so, if we can get them working on infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, schools, community centres, all of the things that we need in community, that's what we want to do."

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who has indicated that she would like to work with other municipalities to reduce reliance on U.S.-based suppliers, told reporters that she is convening a discussion on June 6 in Toronto to work out the "fine details" of such a partnership that will look at procurement.

Chow said the federal and provincial governments can also help to lower municipal costs of building affordable housing.

"We need partnership with the federal and provincial government. We welcome their partnerships," Chow said.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said municipalities are trying to make sense of the tariffs.

"I'll just say I don't think we've ever seen such a consistent level of inconsistency. And so that really, I think, says it all in terms of how we're trying to react," he said. 

"That being said, there are very strong bonds between communities, first and foremost in Canada and the United States. And we want to make sure that we continue to foster an environment that not only says you're welcome, but we want you to stay and continue to be part of our economic success."

Ontario's municipal affairs and housing ministry did not respond to a request for comment.