Mayors of border cities cry out to feds for funding, support as tariff war with U.S. takes its toll

A coalition of mayors from cities and towns along the Canada-U.S. border is reaching out to the Canadian federal government for assistance amidst ongoing cross-border political tensions and uncertainty surrounding tariffs. The Border Mayors Alliance, comprised of eight mayors, expressed their concerns during a recent national online press conference, highlighting the challenges faced by their communities in light of the tariff disputes with the U.S., especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike Bradley, the mayor of Sarnia, Ont., emphasized the detrimental impact of U.S. tariffs on their already struggling economies, stating, “We’ve been dog paddling now for the last four or five years because of COVID, and this [U.S. tariffs] is the last thing we needed to happen. We’re feeling the pain and we’re on the front line… so we do not want to be left behind.”

One of the key concerns raised by the mayors is the impact on duty-free stores, which play a significant role in bolstering local economies. Barbara Barrett, the executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), warned of the imminent threat to duty-free stores that depend heavily on cross-border travel, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods.

Dave Carlson, reeve of the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin in Manitoba, highlighted the importance of the duty-free store in Emerson as a major employer in the town, employing over 20 individuals. Carlson expressed his concerns about the repercussions of the “Buy Canadian” messaging on their communities and urged the federal government to expedite negotiations to resolve the tariff disputes.

According to a 2024 report by the FDFA, there are 32 duty-free stores across Canada, contributing approximately $35 million annually in federal, provincial, and local taxes. Duty-free store operators have invested over $60 million in border communities, underscoring their significance in the local economy.

Cameron Bissonnette, a second-generation duty-free shop owner in Osoyoos, B.C., shared the poignant reality of his struggling business, recounting a day where he incurred a loss of $67 with no transactions except for a refund. Trina Jones, the mayor of Woodstock, N.B., echoed the urgent need for provincial and federal intervention to support businesses in border communities before it’s too late.

The plight of duty-free stores and the economic challenges faced by border communities underscore the critical need for swift action and support from the Canadian government. The mayors are hopeful that proactive measures will be taken to alleviate the hardships faced by their communities and ensure their economic resilience in the face of ongoing uncertainties.