
Tuesday February 4, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The City of Langford will stand by its residents and export-dependent businesses as the situation with the Canada-US tariff scenario continues.
The city will expedite shovel-ready projects and pursue a policy of seeking out Canadian suppliers and services for all its work.

This is in response to tariff angst inflicted on all Canadians by the new US president. Only two weeks into his administration, US President Donald Trump is running hard against Canada to achieve what he wants (varied debate on the exactly what or how much he wants).
Tariff pause with continued angst:
Yes, thanks to two phone calls yesterday between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Trump, there was a last-minute suspension of 25% tariffs on any Canadian exports heading into the US. The tariffs were to come into effect at 12:01 am this morning, February 4.

But the likelihood of tariffs is still a real threat. What if Canada doesn’t meet Trump’s standards for border control and fentanyl that were part of the tariff-suspension deal yesterday? And he has already warned about other attacks he’s pondering.
He has lobbed out remarks about wanting to see more American banking in Canada, and he continues to muse with delight as to how Canada would be a “cherished” 51st state with the obvious intention of a grab for all the assets that Canada holds dear (including natural resources and water).

Trump has rankled many if not most Canadians, to the point of a visceral anger. Spontaneous booing of the American national anthem at hockey games is a clear sign that Canadians have been negatively charged by American antics that have targeted the very essence of what it means to be Canadian.
“We will not bend the knee or kiss the ring” as Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said today about Trump’s pressure on Canada. That about sums it up. Canadians will play fair but not be robbed of our sovereignty and our dignity.
Pushing back:
Trump’s words and actions have been aimed at our constitution and our way of living by which we ultimately protect one another. The US is quite different — they attack each other and for the most part embrace a culture of gun violence. In their politics they practice the art of ‘the other’ (demonizing people who are different from themselves).
As for Canada, most Americans probably think of Canadians as innocuous neighbours who can just be tampered with and toyed with at will — Trump certainly does and he’s not getting much pushback from his voter base. One interviewer on an American TV station (a few weeks ago) suggested to Ontario Premier Doug Ford that Canada should feel privileged to have been asked to become the 51st state. Ford was visibly astonished; that was probably the moment that solidified Ford’s decision to call an election to fight four years against Trump.
In light of all this, many levels of government across Canada, including the province of BC and municipalities here on Vancouver Island are stepping up to support the buy-Canadian way of showing support for our economy, including impacted workers and communities.
Langford weighs in:
Last night at City of Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson presented these remarks about the tariff scenario:
Remarks by Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson
“I would like to address the recent uncertainty surrounding the unjustified tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump. These tariffs, while currently on hold, will have significant implications for our country and for our local economy. Now, more than ever, it is essential for us all to come together and work collectively to do what we can to prepare to protect and support our economy.

“Council is committed to four initial strategies to navigate this potential economic crisis:
- First, we will support and collaborate with all levels of government, including the provincial economic task force. We will align our efforts with the countermeasures deemed necessary by the provincial and federal governments.
- Second, we will endeavour to follow the procurement practices of the Province where possible to ensure our purchases are directed to products made in Canada or other tariff affected countries.
- Third, once the budget is approved, we will expedite shovel-ready projects to help maintain economic activity in Langford.
- Finally, similar to our approach during the COVID-19 recovery measures, we will confer with local Langford businesses that will be affected by future exports to the US to understand the impact on their operations and promote local businesses through targeted awareness campaigns.
“We will remain united and proactive at the local government level, demonstrating our steadfast support to residents, businesses, and the broader government. We are committed to working with the broad community to protect jobs and the economy, both locally and across our great nation.
“Canada is a proud, innovative, and resilient country. Langford is just as resilient. The City proved this through a worldwide pandemic and will prove it again. I believe we will get through this together, by putting our differences aside and finding common ground, and purpose for the common good.
===== RELATED:
- BC retaliatory tariffs are suspended for now but procurement shift continues (February 3, 2025)
- US tariffs now postponed for about 30 days to March 2025 (February 3, 2025)
- Twenty-nine BC crown corporations must prioritize Canadian goods & services (February 3, 2025)
- Trump specialty: anger absorbed & redistributed (January 26, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: LANGFORD | TARIFFS & TRADE | CANADA-USA