City of Gatineau, Que. establishing committee to respond to U.S. tariff threat

Gatineau City Hall.

The City of Gatineau, Que. is establishing what it calls a tactical committee to respond to threats of tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs of 25 per cent on most Canadian goods were set to come into effect Tuesday, but a 30-day pause was announced Monday afternoon.

In a news release, the City of Gatineau said it remains vigilant in the event that tariffs are eventually imposed.

The City says 84 per cent of its purchases come from Quebec companies, with more than half of those from companies in Gatineau, and less than one per cent of its purchases are sourced from the U.S.

“The tactical committee, led by the City’s Economic Development Office, includes the active participation of many economic partners in the region,” a news release said in French. “This committee aims to be an adequate response to the needs of local businesses in this context of uncertainty.”

Those partners include ID Gatineau, the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce, Export Outaouais, Espace O, and Tourisme Outaouais.

“Key players in the regional economy are mobilizing to monitor the situation with regard to customs tariffs in order to work collectively on solutions and, above all, to ensure coherence of action to support our local businesses,” Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette said in French. “This initiative led by the City of Gatineau and the involvement of the President of the Economic Development Commission, Mr. Edmond Leclerc, will ensure that we respond adequately and in a concerted manner to the needs of businesses in these uncertain times.”

Earlier Tuesday, the City of Ottawa’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee approved a motion directing city staff to prioritize Canadian products and services wherever possible. Ottawa currently purchases 92 per cent of its goods and services from local vendors, according to staff.

The motion also recommended Mayor Mark Sutcliffe meet with the Mayor of Gatineau to request governments “eliminate interprovincial trade barriers.”