Pair of GTA councillors to launch anti-tariff ads during Trump’s presidential inauguration

A pair of Greater Toronto Area councillors are taking a stand against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian and Mexican products. In response to this potential policy, Brampton city councillor Rowena Santos and Whitby regional councillor Chris Leahy have launched an online ad campaign set to target Washington during the upcoming inauguration.

The campaign aims to highlight the detriments of Trump’s proposed tariffs, such as potential job losses in Canada. Using location-based advertising methods, Santos and Leahy plan to reach U.S. government officials in the D.C. area with video ads on their smartphones during the inauguration on January 20th.

“We are not going to stand idly by while the U.S. president threatens local jobs and our economy, we are going to fight like hell,” Santos stated.

Both councillors are concerned about the economic instability these tariffs could bring to Canadians, especially those living in Brampton and Durham Region. Brampton, home to the CN intermodal facility, could be hit hard by the tariffs, affecting residents with job losses and potentially higher property taxes. Similarly, Durham Region, where a significant portion of the economy comes from the automotive and manufacturing sectors, could also face job losses due to tariffs on cars and car parts.

The looming threat of tariffs has garnered attention from top politicians like Premier Doug Ford, who previously threatened to cut off Ontario’s energy supply to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. Leahy believes Ford should follow through on this threat to protect Canadian interests.

While the campaign has gained support at the provincial and municipal levels, economist Moshe Lander from Concordia University warns that escalating tensions through threats may not be the most effective approach. Lander suggests that targeting Washington insiders with the campaign may not yield the desired results, as they are already aware of the potential negative impacts of Trump’s policy. Instead, he recommends focusing on educating mid-western households about the repercussions of the tariffs on their Canadian neighbors.

The campaign will extend beyond the inauguration to target events like the Super Bowl, as Santos and Leahy continue their efforts to raise awareness and push back against Trump’s tariff threats.