Responding to Tarrifs

As we navigate another cycle of U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber—imposed, lifted, and reimposed by the Trump administration—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 neighbors' 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. This commitment will ensure our young people stay connected to the community while developing the resilience needed for tomorrow's economy.

Moving Forward Together

When you come on Monday 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?

Rural Phone and Internet

Access to reliable, affordable telecommunications isn't just a modern convenience - it's essential for all everyone. Unfortunately, in rural and remote communities, including those in the RDCK, many people still struggle with inadequate broadband and unreliable phone service. During emergencies, these gaps can have dire consequences. In everyday life, they hinder students' learning, parents' ability to work remotely, businesses' competitiveness, and the safety of our residents in a emergency.

As your representative, I've seen firsthand how dropped calls, slow speeds, and excessive bills hold our community back. That's why I'm proud to support our plan to designate high-speed internet as an essential service, cap prices to prevent unfair charges, and invest in expanding coverage - especially in rural and remote areas. Every family, student, and local business deserves reliable, affordable connectivity, and I'm committed to making that a reality for all of us.

Issue Sources:

RDCK requests federal government address poor rural telecommunications - Nelson Star - Nov 12, 2024

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