Mayor Meed Ward is in the United States - fighting for the municipal sector in the trade war with the Americans.

By Staff

March 5th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Mayor Meed Ward has packed her bags and is in the United States with other Mayors who are part of the Ontario Big City Mayors group.

In an update to the community the Mayor said:

“Today’s imposition of tariffs by the United States will severely affect Canadian and American jobs, businesses, and the economy. Canada has responded appropriately with counter tariffs; it is hoped this will bring the US to the negotiating table for the benefit of both countries.

“In my role as Chair of Ontario Big City Mayors, I have been invited to join a delegation of Mayors and Councillors travelling to Washington March 3-7 as part of the annual meetings for Great Lakes Day organised by Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“The delegation will be meeting with US counterparts and congressional decision-makers in Washington to discuss our vital business relationship, integrated supply chains, and the impacts of 25% tariff and counter tariffs on Canadian and US products.

“The key message of the Canadian delegation is that tariffs hurt both sides of the border. We know municipalities will be on the front lines of this trade war, and developing strong relationships with US Mayors and Regions  will help us to speak with one voice to decision-makers to support strong bilateral trade and respect for trade agreements.

“Burlington is prepared to do our part. Working with Paul Sharman, Deputy Mayor of Strategy and Budgets and Kelvin Galbraith, Deputy Mayor of Business and Red Tape Reduction, I have established a Tariff Task Force of community stakeholders to share information and inform our response and advocacy. I also directed staff to launch the “Buy Canadian” resource page, and brought a “Buy Canadian” resolution in Burlington City Council and Halton Regional Council, which were unanimously passed.

“Working with the Cities Initiative is another opportunity to advance the interests of Burlington, OBCM Mayors, our Region, province and country.

“The Cities Initiative is a multinational coalition of 270 Canadian, American mayors and First Nations elected local government officials working together to promote the environmental and socio-economic health of community in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. Seventeen of the 29 members of OBCM are also members of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, with eight joining this delegation.

“The delegation also provides  the occasion for US Mayors of the delegation to advocate for the continuation of Great Lakes environmental funding and against the current funding freeze affecting their communities.

“The Great Lakes Economy represents a combined $8 trillion dollars (C), making it the third largest in the world if we were a country. A pillar of this economy is the trade between our two nations, as 50% of the goods crossing the Canada-US border do so in the Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Region.”

There are some who think the Mayor is working “outside her lane” – perhaps – but if the President of the United States is going to be brought around it is the citizens of the United States who are going to have to do that. American municipal politicians meeting with Canadian municipal politicians is a good idea.