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Battle lines drawn in Oak Bay in response to U.S. tariffs

Oak Bay moves to curtail the purchase of American goods if tariffs take effect March 4
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Oak Bay municipal hall. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay is moving forward with a plan to respond to the U.S. President Donald Trump's looming tariff threat. 

On Feb. 24, council voted in favour of a Feb. 10 motion calling on the district to limit its purchase of American products if the U.S. levies the 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods set to take effect March 4.

B次元官网网址淏e it resolved that in the event widespread tariffs are implemented by the United States during 2025, that the districtB次元官网网址檚 purchasing policy be immediately amended to prohibit the district from purchasing goods and services directly from American vendors and providers, unless those goods or services are essential to the health and safety of Oak Bay residents and/or no alternative sources are available,B次元官网网址 reads the motion.

It adds that local vendors and contractors that rely on American goods and services to conduct their business will be treated the same as other local companies.

B次元官网网址淚 think that itB次元官网网址檚 important that even at our local level that we announce to the administration of the United States our intention to respond directly to economic threats that will impact our citizens,B次元官网网址 said Coun. Andrew Appleton, who submitted the motion. 

Some councillors expressed concerns about the possible policy shift. 

B次元官网网址淲ill this pose any challenges in terms of tracking [and] monitoring goods and services?B次元官网网址 asked Coun. Cairine Green. B次元官网网址淚s there any issue with adding more burden to our staff to do this?B次元官网网址 

Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 chief financial officer Rianna Lachance assured Green that it would be B次元官网网址渆asyB次元官网网址 to determine whether a supplier is Canadian or American. 

Appleton noted that Oak Bay's actions won't have much of an impact on the U.S.

B次元官网网址淭he immediate economic impact of this motion could be minimal, but I think we need to send this message because itB次元官网网址檚 the right thing to do," he said.

Before concluding the discussion, Mayor Kevin Murdoch shared his views about the possible American tariff.

B次元官网网址淭ariffs are a legitimate trade tool for managing unfair trade practices and making sure true costs are reflected,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淭his is clearly not what is being intended by the U.S. in this situation and so I think itB次元官网网址檚 on all of us to make sure weB次元官网网址檙e doing all we can to support our nation in times like this.B次元官网网址 

Other Greater Victoria communities, including View Royal, Saanich and Victoria, have made similar moves. 



About the Author: Liam Razzell

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