‘I’m disappointed. I have to be honest,’ a central Ontario mayor reacts to auto-sector tariff announcement

Honda employees work along the vehicle assembly line in Alliston, Ont., on Thurs., April 25, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

‘I’m disappointed. I have to be honest,’ central Ontario mayors react to auto-sector tariff announcement

The mayor of New Tecumseth is calling for increased dialogue between our federal government and the Trump administration after the long-threatened 25 per cent tariffs on all auto imports were confirmed by the U.S. president.

“We are going to lobby the provincial government. We’re going to lobby the federal government. And at the end of the day, what we’re talking about is that let’s sit down. Let’s make something happen,” New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross said.

Norcross’ comments carry weight, with New Tecumseth being home to Honda of Canada Manufacturing.

Products that are compliant with Canada’s Free Trade agreement with the United States are for now exempt. There are worries that tariffs on automotive parts could be the next move by Trump in the coming weeks.

Saying it’s still going through today’s developments, a Honda spokesperson pointed CTV News to a statement from last week that said the Japanese auto giant is “focused on protecting its more than 4,000 manufacturing associates and long-standing business operations in Canada.” Adding that it is confident it can pivot effectively.

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said, “If there’s going to be continued uncertainty to the south, we need to focus on domestic production.”

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Pointing to the pivotal role the auto industry plays in Simcoe County’s economy, Barrie’s mayor says the focus of other levels of governments must be on breaking down provincial trade barriers.

Nuttall says business leaders also need more clarity.

“Some of the businesses that we have here locally in terms of the advanced manufacturing, it can take up to 12 months to deliver the products. And 12 months ago, this wasn’t even, you know, a start to look at.”

Barrie and New Tecumseth are two of many communities that have adjusted procurement bylaws in recent weeks to prioritize Canadian products.

“We have people who work here. We have people that raise their families here. And we want to make sure that we’re doing the best that we can to help them, and we’re going to do it,” said Norcross.