Stating in the Strongest Terms Possible, that Proposed Arbitrary Tariffs on Canadian Exports Entering the United States Will Severely Damage Our Respective Economies and Should Be Reconsidered - by Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Chris Moise

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The decision

2024-12-17 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council express its objection to the application of arbitrary and draconian tariffs on Canadian exports into the United States and forward this item to the U.S. Consul General in Toronto for information.

The vote

Waive Notice · Carried, 19-4

For (19)Amber Morley, Anthony Perruzza, Brad Bradford, Chris Moise, Dianne Saxe, Frances Nunziata, Jamaal Myers, James Pasternak, Jennifer McKelvie, Lily Cheng, Michael Thompson, Mike Colle, Nick Mantas, Olivia Chow, Parthi Kandavel, Paul Ainslie, Rachel Chernos Lin, Stephen Holyday, Vincent Crisanti

Against (4)Ausma Malik, Gord Perks, Jon Burnside, Josh Matlow

Absent (3)Alejandra Bravo, Paula Fletcher, Shelley Carroll

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On the agenda

As the city filed it

The trade relationship of the United States with Canada is the largest in the world. In 2023, the goods and services trade between the two countries totalled $923 billion. United States exports were $441 billion, while imports were $482 billion. This trade cements a long standing historical bond between our two countries. There are current musings of United States President-elect Donald Trump that he will place tariffs of 25 percent of Canadian exports.

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Toronto, as the economic engine of Canada, would be severely harmed should arbitrary tariffs be placed on Canadian exports to the United States. As this is likely to trigger retaliation by Canada, a stealth trade war could ensue. Said one expert: "The wasteful effects of protectionism eventually lead to a substantial reduction in the efficiency with which labor is used, leading to a decline of about 0.9 percent of labor productivity after five years. Tariffs also lead to a small and marginally-significant increase in unemployment." This motion is deemed urgent because the US Presidential Inauguration of January 20, 2025, will be before the next Council meeting.

Staff recommended

Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Chris Moise, recommends that: 1. City Council express its objection to the application of arbitrary and draconian tariffs on Canadian exports into the United States and forward this item to the U.S. Consul General in Toronto for information.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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