In response to the potential economic strain caused by new U.S. tariffs, Kitchener has launched a campaign designed to bolster local businesses and promote the “Made in Canada” trend. The initiative, which was unveiled on March 17 at Kitchener City Hall, aims to counteract the economic disruptions expected from the tariffs, particularly within the region’s manufacturing sector, which has strong ties to the automotive industry.
The city’s downtown area will soon feature banners adorned with bright red and white colors, prominently displaying the “Support Local” campaign. These banners are part of an effort to raise awareness and encourage residents to buy locally, helping to mitigate the effects of the tariffs.
According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Waterloo Region, including Kitchener, is projected to be one of the most significantly impacted areas in Ontario by these tariffs. In light of this, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic emphasized the importance of community resilience in times of economic uncertainty.
“We’re coming together as a community to turn these challenges into opportunities,” said Vrbanovic during a press conference. “We’ve seen things change rapidly—sometimes in a matter of hours—and that’s no way to run an economy or a business.”
In addition to promoting local purchases, the city is actively taking steps to address the issue. The mayor noted that the city is “proactively assessing contracts, closely monitoring supply chain impacts, and pursuing further Buy Canadian opportunities.” The Support Local initiative is a partnership between Kitchener’s city government and local business organizations, aimed at not only countering the immediate tariff impacts but also fostering long-term shifts in local consumer habits.
In response to the growing concern, Kitchener City Council unanimously approved a motion in February to protect the region’s economy from the tariff consequences. One of the significant moves proposed by Kitchener’s Tariff and Trade Task Force includes modifying the city’s procurement bylaw to prioritize Canadian-made goods.
“We’re making changes that will hopefully last in terms of our shopping and trade habits,” Mayor Vrbanovic said, referring to the ongoing effort to support Canadian businesses and suppliers. Other measures under consideration include initiating more discussions with distributors and contractors to explore Canadian alternatives, prioritizing Canadian-made products for smaller items, and launching new resources for businesses to explore import substitution options.
Vrbanovic also discussed the broader regional cooperation, mentioning a recent call with the Ontario Big City Mayor’s Tariff Task Force, where mayors from cities with populations over 100,000 shared strategies to minimize the tariffs’ impacts.
When asked about whether Kitchener would consider removing American flags, following Mississauga’s decision, Vrbanovic responded firmly, stating, “Our beef is not with the American people, our beef is with the administration in the White House.” The mayor also acknowledged the uncertainty caused by political changes and the resulting anxiety felt by local businesses.
Having recently visited Washington, D.C., Vrbanovic stressed that the message being delivered to U.S. lawmakers, such as senators and congresspeople, was clear: these tariffs are harmful not only to Canadians but also to American residents. He explained, “This is not just going to hurt Canadians. We’re here to make sure that U.S. officials understand this will also have consequences for their own citizens.”
Vrbanovic’s comments reflected the broader shift in Canadian foreign policy, recognizing that the long-standing Canada-U.S. relationship needs to adapt to changing global dynamics while still maintaining strong ties with one of Canada’s most important trading partners.
