With recent shifts in the economic and trade landscape, the City of Burlington is committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with our local businesses. As news about tariffs develops, we recognize the challenges this could bring to families and businesses in our community. That’s why we’re focused on ensuring Canadian businesses have the support they need to stay strong, competitive, and resilient in the face of uncertainty.
UPDATE – APRIL 15, 2025:
Federal Update
The Minister of Finance, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced new measures for Canadian businesses and entities affected by the tariff dispute between Canada and the United States. See below for summary of measures...
Ontario Update
Ontario is launching the new $50 million Ontario Together Trade Fund to help businesses make near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains, strengthening Ontario’s trade security and diversification.
These measures include:
- A performance-based remission framework for automakers to incentivize continued production and investment in Canada. In recognition of the integrated nature of the North American automotive sector, this will allow automakers that continue to manufacture vehicles in Canada to import a certain number of U.S.-assembled, CUSMA-compliant vehicles into Canada, free of the countermeasure tariffs that Canada has imposed.
- Temporary 6-month relief for goods imported from the U.S. that are used in Canadian manufacturing, processing and food and beverage packaging, and for those used to support public health, health care, public safety, and national security objectives.
- Access to a new loan program, the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility (LETL). Announced by the Prime Minister in March, the LETL is now accepting applicants to support eligible large businesses—including those that contribute to Canada’s food security, energy security, economic security, and national security—that are facing difficulties in accessing traditional sources of market financing, by providing access to liquidity.
What You Can Do
Buying products made in Canada is an important way to support Canadian entrepreneurs, Canadian workers, and members of your local community.
When shopping, check products for "Made in Canada" or "Produced in Canada" labels and consider buying them instead of other available products.
NEW: Canadians have designed a number of apps to help consumers find Canadian-made products.
Find them on the Apple or Android App Store:
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Shop Canadian: A quick way to get product information by scanning barcodes
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Buy Beaver: Rates how Canadian a product is based on where it's made, ingredients, and brand ownership
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Maple Scan: Analyzes photos of products to determine if they meet government criteria for being labeled "made in Canada"
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O SCANada: Helps Canadians buy Canadian products
NOTE - links and/or app references are not operated by or affiliated with the City of Burlington in any way and that any use of or reliance on the information contained on those sites/from those apps is the responsibility of the user
You can also choose to support your local businesses, producers, and farmers instead of larger shops.
Find out more about how to check for country of origin on food labels.
How to Support Canadian Products and Retailers |
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By being an informed shopper, you help strengthen Canada’s economy and support local jobs. Tips courtesy of Marvin Ryder, Associate Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. |
Be an informed shopper |
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Not all products with Canadian symbols are truly Canadian. Understand the difference:
See the Government of Canada's page on Made in Canada vs. Product of Canada. |
Don't be misled by symbols |
| A maple leaf or Canadian flag on the packaging doesn’t always guarantee the product is Canadian. Always check the label for details on where it was made and where the ingredients come from. |
Double-check when shopping online |
| When buying products online, take an extra moment to research the product’s origin. Look at the company’s website and confirm where the product is made and where its materials are sourced. |
Pay with cash when possible |
| Did you know that when you pay with a credit card, stores pay a 2-3% fee to credit card companies? Paying with cash allows more of your money to stay with the retailer and support local businesses. |
Check Canadian retailers carefully |
| Just because you’re shopping at a Canadian retailer doesn’t mean everything on the shelf is Canadian-made. Read labels and ask questions to make sure you’re supporting Canadian products. |
What Other Labels Should I Look for?
The federal guidelines for food labelling also allow the following to indicate that an item is a product of Canada or is made in Canada.
Label variations may include:
- “Roasted and blended in Canada” to describe coffee since the coffee beans are always imported.
- “Distilled in Canada” to describe bottled water that was distilled in Canada.
- “Canned in Canada” to describe green beans that were canned in Canada.
- “Refined in Canada” to describe imported cane sugar which has been refined in Canada.
- “Processed in Canada” to describe a food which has been entirely processed in Canada.
- “Prepared in Canada” to describe a food which has been entirely prepared in Canada.
- “Packaged in Canada” to describe a food which is imported in bulk and packaged in Canada.
The Impact of Spending Locally
Buying locally helps the Canadian economy by keeping more money circulating within a community, which leads to increased employment opportunities, supports local businesses, and contributes to the overall economic vitality of the region, as local businesses tend to reinvest profits back into the community by hiring local staff and purchasing goods from other local businesses.
Key points about buying locally and its impact on the Canadian economy: |
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Learn More About the Impacts of Buying Local |
How We Are Responding
The City of Burlington will follow the lead set by the Federal and Provincial governments and be a municipal leader in prioritizing Canadian vendors and suppliers, where possible. The City is preparing to stand up for Canadian businesses.
City of Burlington's Response |
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May 20, Council approves Industrial Property Tax Payment Deferral Program:
Feb. 6, The Mayoral Direction issues the following directions to staff:
Jan. 31, City Council passed a Buy Canadian Resolution:
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Government of Canada Response |
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The Government of Canada has a comprehensive plan to fight back against the unjustified U.S. tariffs imposed on Canadian goods while supporting Canada's interests, industries, and workers. You can view the full response from the Government of Canada. |
Buy Canadian Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Tariff? |
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Tariffs are taxes on products that come from other countries. Just like you pay sales tax when you buy something, a tariff is an extra cost added to goods that are imported into Canada. For example, if you’re buying a product from another country, you might have to pay a tariff. If you’re a business in Burlington selling products to other countries, your customers there may have to pay tariffs on what they buy from you. Tariffs 101: What are tariffs and how do they impact international trade? |
What’s the Impact of Tariffs? |
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If you’re a business in Burlington selling products to other countries, tariffs can make your goods more expensive for your international customers. This could mean they buy less, look for cheaper alternatives, or pass on the extra cost to their own customers. On the other hand, if you’re importing goods into Canada, tariffs could raise your costs, which might lead to higher prices for local consumers. This is why understanding tariffs is important—they can impact both businesses and families through changes in prices and demand. |
How Do Tariffs Work and Why Are They Used? |
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Governments use tariffs for different reasons, often depending on economic or political goals:
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Who Pays for Tariffs? |
| Typically, it’s the buyers who pay for tariffs. When businesses import goods, they are responsible for paying the tariff and often pass those costs on to consumers by raising prices. It’s important to note that tariffs aren’t payments from one government to another. Instead, they are collected by the government imposing them, much like a tax on imported goods. |
Why Is It Important to Understand Tariffs? |
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Knowing how tariffs work is important because they can affect more than just prices—they influence business decisions, supply chains, and even what products are available. If tariffs make goods more expensive, businesses might need to find new suppliers, adjust their prices, or rethink where they sell their products. For businesses in Burlington, staying informed about tariffs can help them plan ahead, remain competitive, and avoid unexpected costs. The City of Burlington is committed to supporting local businesses as they adapt to any changes that may affect them. Burlington community members have buying power – By supporting Canadian-made goods, we help protect local jobs, keep money circulating within our community, and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Understanding tariffs is key to making informed choices that benefit both residents and the broader Burlington economy. |
Generating Revenue:
Protecting Local Businesses:
As a Diplomatic or Trade Tool:
