As we navigate another cycle of U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber—imposed, lifted, and reimposed—our community faces familiar challenges. Unlike previous rounds, Canada is now holding firm, maintaining our countermeasures rather than lifting them. While this principled stance may protect Canadian interests long-term, it creates immediate economic pressures we must address together.
When tariff wars escalate, we feel it at home: in higher prices at our stores, in uncertainty for our local manufacturers and forestry operations, and in the tough decisions our neighbours face. But throughout history, communities like ours have not just survived economic challenges. They’ve emerged stronger by turning inward to discover their collective power.
Our community’s potential
Remember our “Open for Business” campaign during COVID-19? When travel restrictions kept us close to home, we discovered the treasures in our own backyard. We can rally around local shops and services again, creating a surge of hometown support that helps businesses not just survive, but thrive.
This is the resilience we need to build
- We can support each other. When we choose local shops over big-box stores, we invest in our neighbours’ dreams and our shared future.
- We can innovate together. Our community investment cooperative can fund local startups, our housing cooperatives can create affordable living options, and our worker cooperatives can build sustainable jobs with shared ownership. These cooperative models can reduce our dependence on outside systems.
- We must include everyone. Our strongest solutions will come when we bring diverse voices to the table: youth, seniors, immigrants, long-time residents, all contributing their unique perspectives.
- We need to invest in our future. Our Youth Climate Corps can create meaningful employment for young people during uncertain times. When economic downturns typically hit youth employment first, our community must prioritize opportunities that build skills while addressing local environmental challenges.
Moving forward together
When you come to the meet-up at the NDCC, let’s bring our personal stories, our concerns, and our ideas. What skills can you share? What connections can you foster? What vision do you have for our community?