Kitchener launches 'support local' campaign in response to U.S. tariffs

Hannah Kavanagh · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 18, 2025 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 11 minutes ago

Kitchener's politician stood with assembly members Monday to announce the metropolis would beryllium implementing a much progressive attack to supporting section businesses successful the aftermath of fluctuating tariffs from the U.S.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic released the city's caller "support local" run successful a property league astatine metropolis hall, officially launching a program for what helium called a "needless and senseless fight."

"This inaugural aims to bolster our section economy, guarantee Kitchener remains vibrant and strong and punctual america each that our section businesses are genuinely the bosom of our community," Vrbanovic said. 

Since March 4, astir Canadian goods person been deed with a 25 per cent tariff. Waterloo portion and the remainder of Canada person since been reeling from fluctuating threats and chaos arsenic concern owners and residents person nary thought what to expect adjacent successful presumption of economical drawbacks. 

Soon after, Kitchener created a tariff and commercialized task unit to measure the effects of the tariffs locally and advocator for commercialized obstruction removal betwixt provinces to supplement imports and stimulate the economy.

At the opening of March, Vrbanovic joined Ontario Premier Doug Ford and different metropolis mayors successful Washington, D.C. to combat tariff measures. 

Now, the Kitchener task unit is implementing 5 main actions to enactment the section economy:

• Amending Kitchener's procurement bylaw 
• Communicating with distributors and contractors for Canadian alternatives to supply
• Prioritizing smaller dollar point proviso purchases
• Import substitution resources for section businesses and outreach to commercialized exposed companies
• The motorboat of the run itself, "Support Local", successful concern with section businesses, enclosure of commerce and the Kitchener Market

In a property release, councillor and concern seat Scott Davey noted that Ontario's procurement policies are already successful bully standing, with 98 per cent of goods and services being sourced in-province. 

Vrbanovic besides announced that Kitchener would besides beryllium moving with different cities wrong Waterloo portion to support connection and concern wide portion besides "dialoguing with national and provincial partners" to support the portion arsenic dependable arsenic imaginable done a "fluid situation."

"The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has identified this portion arsenic 1 of the astir impacted communities successful the country," Vrbanovic said. 

"Kitchener volition enactment hard and tirelessly to marque definite we support our economy, our businesses and our residents."