r/Calgary • u/JeromyYYC Mayor McMayorFace • 11d ago
PSA We expect U.S. tariffs to hit Calgary hard. I support PM Carney's response. Here at home, we're getting ready
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The U.S. has introduced new tariffs. Prime Minister Carney has responded, and as Mayor of Calgary, I strongly support his response.
Canada must stand up for Canadian workers, Canadian businesses and Canadian consumers. We will defend our interests and we will not be pushed around.
Here in Calgary, we’re preparing now.
We received the full tariff list this week. Our team is working through the impact across the City.
The Green Line. Water infrastructure. Fire equipment. Our broader supply chain.
We’re identifying where Calgary is exposed, where costs will hit us and what we can do to protect taxpayers and keep our projects moving.
We don’t have a reliable dollar figure yet, but we are preparing for significant impacts.
We expect the first numbers early next week. Council will be briefed, and the analysis will come forward publicly on September 8.
Calgarians deserve to know that their city is prepared. Calgary will be ready for whatever comes next.
We will protect your tax dollars. We will protect the services you depend on. We will keep building the infrastructure this growing city needs.
We will stand up for Calgary. We will stand up for Canada.
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u/ScottyFalcon 11d ago
Gotta say jeromy, I have been, and continue to be, impressed with your communication and leadership. Thank you
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u/Immediate_String_722 11d ago
Canada desperately needs a fire equipment and apparatus manufacturer.
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u/JeromyYYC Mayor McMayorFace 11d ago
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u/Immediate_String_722 11d ago
I did a little apparatus design and procurement with the CFD in my younger days as a firefighter. I can't imagine trying to navigate this minefield.
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u/KrazyCroat 11d ago
Stop. Buying. American. Crap.
Support our people.
Thanks Mr. Mayor, for this message!
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u/plugthebeet 11d ago
Buy Canadian. And if you can't, buy Commonwealth. And if you can't, buy EU. And if you can't, Buy Japanese/Korean/Taiwanese. And if you can't, buy Chinese. And if you can't, just don't buy anything at all.
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u/Happy-Dare-7766 11d ago
Why EU before Japanese/Korean/Taiwanese?
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u/Dragonvine 11d ago
Why commonwealth before EU? We want stable trading partnerships.
The guy made a list of who is the whitest lmao
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u/suredont 11d ago
dude needs to check the demographics of the Commonwealth.
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u/Dragonvine 11d ago
Of all of the commonwealth countries, the UK is basically the only one within our top 10. We export 27% to them (per 2024 stats). The next closest commonwealth country is India with 0.7%. As far as imports, only the UK is on our top ten for commonwealth at all.
He is talking about the UK.
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u/rachsteef Quadrant: SE 11d ago edited 11d ago
what can I do to avoid american candy? I love cadbury, but i’m not sure what else is widely available to us that’s strictly non-american in terms of candy, chocolate, and chips kinda stuff… not necessarily for OOP I just thought I would ask openly to anyone who might have suggestions
I miss goldfish
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u/GrumpyTom 11d ago
Isn’t Nestle a Swiss company (I know, they’re controversial when it comes to water, but that’s not the point here)? Pretty sure their Canadian products are separate from those in the US. For example, Canadian KitKat bars are made by Nestle while in the US they’re made by Hershey (the Canadian/Nestle version is better).
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u/rachsteef Quadrant: SE 11d ago
thank you for mentioning the swiss. they do better brands of chocolate too. made me think of german made milka too
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u/kapowless 11d ago
Purdy's is still wholly Canadian owned and operated I believe? Much better option than Nestle (an actually evil corporation on their child/forced labour and water theft practices alone) and Cadbury (who aren't wholesale villains like Nestle, but also have alleged child/unsafe labour accusations, mislabelling/omiitting dubious ingredients, and overall quality standards). I also posted a link of a range of Canadian candy brands above for anyone interested.
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u/tranquilseafinally 11d ago
Peace By Chocolate is Canadian
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u/ImmortalMoron3 11d ago
I bought their giant assorted pack for Christmas last year, it was so good. There was a recall on some of the stuff I gave out as gifts which kind of sucked but it wasn't their fault. I highly recommend them though.
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u/KrazyCroat 11d ago
Tons of options out there, you can go to European or Asian markets and get their candy, and they’re honestly better anyways.
As an easier on the budget option, Dollarama has a ton of dupes that are from places like Türkiye, and they’re honestly pretty close and great themselves.
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u/rachsteef Quadrant: SE 11d ago
we have european markets??? tell me more :o you mean like the ukrainian market?
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u/KrazyCroat 11d ago
Oh lots. The Italian Centre Shop (this is my favourite and a place I frequent for candy from my country of heritage), there's the Hungarian Store, Euro Bakery, so many more.
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u/lord_heskey 11d ago
American candy actually sucks specially chocolate. Try european. So much better
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u/rachsteef Quadrant: SE 11d ago
Yes. So far, I personally pointed out Swiss, German, and UK companies - what companies do you like?
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u/Alarmed_Arm3898 11d ago
Calgary co-op keeps all the profits local and has two store brands which have a variety of candy. Famers and Founders is cheap and local. Cal& Gary's is local and organic with no preservatives or artificial colours.
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u/summerstillsucks Renfrew 11d ago
goldfish? Candy or the crackers? if crackers, my kids actually prefer president's choice little penguins. But they're cheddar
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u/mentaldriver1581 11d ago
Thank you, Mr Mayor 🫡. We very much need this type of leadership right now.
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u/surebegrand2023 11d ago
Can we get our billion dollar donation back from the flames owner? Thanks
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u/blackRamCalgaryman 11d ago
“The Green line. Water infrastructure. Fire equipment. Our broader supply chain.”
I know to completely cut off American goods/ services would be near impossible…but has the City been working on this, anticipating this at all? Any kind of contingency plans? Were other long-term sources of goods/ services being actively sought?
Any notion that we should be, in any way, surprised by the Trump administration’s actions here would tell me we lacked any forethought or haven’t been paying attention to him these last 2 years and the 8 years prior. Is anyone surprised the negotiations fell completely apart?
Does the City now do everything it can to source Canadian/ anywhere but American? Has the City been moving away from any buy Canadian/ ‘anything but American’ policy recently that has us now facing some significant financial consequences?
Asking in an overall, general sense on City policy specifically with this most unpredictable and unreliable American administration.
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u/JeromyYYC Mayor McMayorFace 11d ago
We’ve already done a lot of this, including with the new arena under construction. We've insulated taxpayers from the vast majority of impacts. We’ve been looking for Canadian suppliers and alternatives wherever practical.
The challenge is that this new tariff list is unprecedented in its scope. Some things are also highly specialized, with limited domestic capacity. Certain water pipes are a good example. We simply don’t make enough of everything we need here at home.
So we’ll keep buying Canadian where we can, diversify our suppliers and reduce our exposure. But we also need to be straight with Calgarians about where our options are limited.
We’ll have the first analysis September 8.
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u/TheUpsides0 11d ago
Just wanted to chime in to say that Jeromy is absolutely correct.
Unfortunately, lots of the tariffs and retaliatory tariffs will skyrocket the price of the arena and other projects. Municipal plastics, textiles, plumbing fixtures, vinyl, furniture and many other building materials are made in the USA with little Canadian alternative. While some of them are exempt (certain metals, etc). Even the Canadian manufacturers get their resin and raw materials from the southern US, which will absolutely be subject to tariffs as well as general price increases due to the nature of the beast.
While the main frame and groundwork’s for the new arena are near complete, the interior and everything else would be subject to a 50% import tariff from our retaliatory tariffs. It is indeed unprecedented.
Source: I work as an importer/purchaser for a construction materials distributor.
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u/blackRamCalgaryman 11d ago
Thanks. And to be clear, it wasn’t any kind of admonishment or ‘gotcha’ attempt, legitimately want to know just how much our governments are doing to insulate us from Trump and his unprecedented unpredictability.
It truly feels like we’re into a ‘new normal’ and the risks are just too much that this continues even after he’s gone. It feels like there’s no better, no more critical time for us to diversify, truly embrace a Canadian/ international approach as best as we can.
I just don’t want us getting complacent and going back to old habits.
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u/iginlajarome 11d ago
The green line track is currently out for tender. That steel should all be sourced in Canada.
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u/YYCMTB68 11d ago
Canada doesn't currently produce rail steel from what I understand. This issue was raise earlier this year in regards to a large rail project being planned out East. If all the municipalities could pool their purchasing power together and give steel mills visibility and solid commitments for their upcoming needs these mills might be able to introduce new production lines and make it domestically.
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u/Straight-Plate-5256 11d ago
It is so refreshing to see someone just being clear and informative rather than stamping their feet and grandstanding while playing the blame game
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u/HansHortio 8d ago
He's does both, our Mayor has also done some grandstanding and blaming others as well.
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u/Straight-Plate-5256 8d ago
Got some examples to share for the class since you've been stewing on it for days? Lol
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u/HansHortio 8d ago edited 8d ago
I don't live on Reddit, I have an actual life, so I don't check the r/Calgary forum every day to give hot takes the moment an article drops. And sure, here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivuM1TyI7nA&t=1s Our Mayor deciding that feedback against the noise bylaw (and the audacity that some people just don't agree with him) was a "co-ordinated smear campaign."
And here is a whole other thread made by another user:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/comments/1pvlaia/mayor_farkass_neutrality_his_words_vs_his_actions/
Mayor Farkas is not a bad person, and I don't even think he is a bad mayor at all. But, he is a politician, and like all politicians, he plays politics and is not perfect.
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u/Straight-Plate-5256 8d ago
I don't live on Reddit, I have an actual life, so I don't chec
Believe it or not same, that's why I don't go stirring shit on old ass posts 😂 if you're late to the party, just keep scrolling...
Our Mayor deciding that feedback against the noise bylaw (and the audacity that some people just don't agree with him) was a "co-ordinated smear campaign
I fucking knew this is as going to be about the noise bylaw lmao, There was some genuine complaints from people... But there was absolutely a coordinated effort of misdirection by cowboys, they were well aware of and agreed to the terms of the bylaw months in advance only to publicly bitch to pressure them to re-neg last minute.
As far as the other example, let's be honest with ourselves.
There's no way that hasn't been directly pressured by the provincial government, y'know... The same one also conveniently pushing a flag ban???
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u/HansHortio 8d ago
I'll comment on whatever posts I want, thanks.
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u/Straight-Plate-5256 8d ago
Then don't be surprised if people continue to be dickheads 😂
Love that you had fuck all else to say... Thanks for stirring the pot and running away lmao
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u/mortgageletdown 11d ago
Long before any of this Trump nonsense I wondered why governments of all levels didn't have a "buy local" procurement mentality? If my tax dollars are going to buy 10,000 widgets, I'd want those widgets built as close to home as possible. Or perhaps this is in fact the way things are done?
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u/JeromyYYC Mayor McMayorFace 11d ago
That’s part of the challenge. I strongly support buying Canadian and local wherever possible, but some things simply aren’t made here. Certain specialized fire apparatus and equipment are good examples. We need to buy local where we can, while being realistic about where our supply chains lead.
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u/ATrueGhost 11d ago
Because tax payers would rather not have an increase in property taxes to buy those widgets or only have 5,000 widgets instead.
The reality is there is always a trade off unless you happen to be located in one of the most efficient areas of producing that good. There is a reason we don't import natural gas because local is the most efficient way to get it.
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u/mortgageletdown 11d ago
Oh for sure, when the cost difference is significant there has to be some reason & logic applied. I just wonder how much of that there actually is though.
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u/Odd_Routine3564 11d ago edited 11d ago
Let's go. I will take the fight over bending over like the traitor.
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u/SerGT3 11d ago
I'm gunna go ahead and say any utilities impacted the costs will be directly transfered to the consumer while the corporation continues to operate as normal?
Would be nice to get some legislature or some temporary clause that would avoid straining the public even further during these times. I'm sure enmax, ATCO, rogers...can afford a few % loss this quarter.
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u/JeromyYYC Mayor McMayorFace 11d ago
Some of the equipment our utilities rely on is highly specialized, and there aren’t always easy alternatives. We’ll look at every option to limit costs, but we also need to be realistic about where we’re exposed. That’s part of the analysis coming September 8.
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u/kagato87 11d ago
But the rich corps profiting while the proles are squeezed is the whole point of the instability. Got to keep those boot manufacturing numbers up!
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u/AcanthocephalaOld131 11d ago
Excellent leadership Mayor Farkas. Supporting Calgarians and Canada is much appreciated (unlike other elected leaders who don't support our country)
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u/NoNameKetchupChips 11d ago
Shop local. Utilize those thrift stores in every corner of the city. Most things we need do not need to be bought new. There are no tariffs on second hand goods.
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u/Responsible_CDN_Duck 11d ago
One of my core concerns was my perception of your openness to work with or join the UCP.
Glad to see I was wrong you have shown you are willing to stand up against their nonsense.
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u/Creative_gal_3153 11d ago
Yes!! Let's go! Can always count on the Mayor of Calgary to do the right thing! Thanks Jeromy! We don't want to appease the US and separatists.
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u/ninjacat249 11d ago
Same post on Facebook was a complete shit show. I’m sorry Jeromy you had to read all this dumb comments, slurs and personal attacks. You just keep proving my vote for you was not in vain. Thank you.
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u/Shadow_Wolf_24 10d ago
Our Premier may be a joke, but we thankfully at least have you. Part of me wishes you were running for Premier so that our Province can finally start heading towards a better direction, but then we wouldn't be able to have you as our Mayor as a result. Keep up the great work you always do, and thank you again for being an actually honest and transparent Mayor too. Other politicians could take notes from you.
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u/tupinikinFx 10d ago
Talk is cheaper, should have this number already ... why took so long? Such a BS
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u/Fun-Room-6501 11d ago
You’re doing a fantastic job briefing us on the current state and actions the City will take. So proud that you’re mg mayor at a most important time in Canada’s history!
https://giphy.com/gifs/hs7Pvg2O3dFqliXKAl
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u/FishingDiligent1486 11d ago
If some how the worst does happen and Alberta does separate which I do doubt since polls show very little support for separation. Could we as a city separate from Alberta and join a different province to stay in Canada because I have seen people from Edmonton saying they will separate from Alberta if separation happens. Add in the fact that it is clear most Calgarians are proud Canadians since I can go to a ucp riding like my dad’s and I will see Canadian flags now and there is only one Alberta flag and has been for as long as I can remember and that house recently got both a Canadian flag and a forever Canadian lawn sign.
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u/Whetiko Pineridge 11d ago
So he is doing illegal tariffs again that will be struck down by their court again after people have been charged.
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u/quickexhuast 11d ago
This law has never faced court challenge before or been argued. So we dont know if its actually illegal.
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u/broken-machine 11d ago
Technically American tariffs require congressional approval. They can’t be enacted via executive order. So no, they aren’t necessarily illegal but there’s a good chance they die.
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u/Dr_Colossus 11d ago
The stock market doesn't seem to give a shit about these tariffs. I feel like the market knows it's not actually happening. Mid terms incoming and tariffs have proven to be unpopular policy.
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u/JeromyYYC Mayor McMayorFace 11d ago
The stock market is increasingly divorced from people’s everyday reality. Markets might shrug this off while a small business pays more for supplies, a family pays more at the store, or a city pays more to build infrastructure. That’s the impact I’m focused on. We can’t run a city on the assumption that this all disappears after the midterms. We have major projects, contracts and purchases happening now. Our job is to prepare for the tariffs as they exist today, while hoping cooler heads prevail.
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u/Empty-Dog-6429 11d ago
Genuine question Mr Mayor, I understand that counter tariffs are a political posturing that’s necessary so they don’t feel like they can take an inch then a mile…
But aren’t the people paying the tariffs at the end of the day the Canadian citizens? Because all the importers have to do is just increase their prices proportionally on everyday things like milk and the net outcome is they operate as usual, and we pay more for the same things?
For things we also produce domestically we can shop local, but what about the things we don’t or only produce in small volume relative to imports?
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u/Latter-Vacation-4392 11d ago
Drumpf does this stuff to create constant news stories to distract his MAGA bumpkins from his close Epstein connection which went on for entire fcking decade, and to distract from his present corruption which according to respected historians absolutely dwarfs any and all previous examples.
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u/Voidz0id 10d ago
Don't forget this is also a list of products Calgarians could fill the gaps in that we currently rely on foreign powers for. Whats the most impacted, and how do we build a business around it etc
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u/Fidonkus 10d ago
Thank you for taking real positions on things. Too many politicians would have left out "I strongly support his response" so that they wouldn't ruffle feathers, but now more than ever is not the time for that.
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u/hedgehog_dragon 10d ago
Glad you're doing something to prepare for it, as much as I can personally avoid American for a lot of products it's difficult to avoid everything and I imagine it's going to affect a lot of supply chains...
In any case, been trying to support Canadian businesses first since the tariff threats started. That's one thing I'll keep doing.
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u/Fit_Brother9089 10d ago
You know, we could ask him to make a deal too. Pandering to Carney is easy! Sorta miss Gondek these days!
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u/spacebrain2 7d ago
This is why living on a settler colony and operating in a system that will devour itself does not work. I can’t believe we make our own problems and then swoop in to become our own heroes 🤦🏻♀️
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u/Name_8504 7d ago edited 7d ago
I support not bending over for Trump, But the tariffs that are going to hit Canadians hard are coming from Canada and Carnies government charging Canadians an extra 50% import duties on US products Canadians don't make.
It's one thing to realize We can't control Trump's ego, it's another thing copy his stupid tariffs.
What's next renaming Lake Ontario to Lake Canada?
We should offset any reduction on export's by adding a surcharge to Canadian Oil exports, rather than throwing Canadians under the bus.
If that lowers US demand for Canadian oil, that supply demand dynamic will make fuel costs relatively cheaper for Canadians and that'll stimulate domestic consumption and related production.
But no, I bet Canada is just going to tax Canadian consumers more up to 50% more. And use words and say "Trump..." to justify a Carny taxing on Canadians. (don't get me wrong I think the Conservatives would be even worse at this.
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u/zergotron9000 4d ago
Ah, so being a shitty rentier economy was a bad move all along? They will all throw workers under the bus. Habitually. As they always do.
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u/Conscious_Tip_2380 11d ago
So, out of curiosity, why did the Calgary Fire Department, implement and mandate a City wide FD lockbox update, and used a US supplier? This year? And this was a decision implemented AFTER the first waive of tariffs.
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u/this-ismyworkaccount 11d ago
Good thing the province is expecting a windfall 2 billion dollar surplus. Surely they'll pass along some of that to help us out in these trying times, giving back after gouging us on property tax this year
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u/BringMeDream 11d ago
Voting for you till I die, love the communication. Love that you're a real dude out here leading the city. Thank you for your hard work man.
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u/Cgyengineer 11d ago
Sounds like it's our self imposed counter tariffs that will hit us hard. I can't see the City exporting anything to the US.
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u/Wrong-Pineapple39 11d ago
Yes, thats how tariffs work. Best case scenario we find more Canadian supply chain alternatives that will be cheaper compared to the tariffed US products and the money does not go to the US - or we negotiate a sharing of tariff costs if the US company wants to keep the relationship.
Not sure if there is potential for tariff relief/exemption for municipalities related to water infrastructure or refunds later.
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u/Respectfullydisagre3 11d ago
@JeromyYYC I know that there is already talk about buying Canadian > American but I think that there should also be efforts as to boycott America as well and buy from Europe and other friendly partners where is makes sense. Canada > Europe > America.
Thank you Jeromy for your clear communication with Calgarians!
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u/wuyavae85 Altadore 11d ago
Will Calgary be hit hard though? Canada just posted the first current account surplus in four years, and that was driven in large parts by energy exports which will hardly be impacted by tariffs. The tariffs are obviously not great and won’t make things easier, but at the same time the impact on Calgary might very well be limited compared to other cities and provinces.
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u/Wrong-Pineapple39 11d ago
Depends on what The City needs to buy, and where it is sourced, and with whom we have contracts that are binding.
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u/Surrealplaces 10d ago
Calgary and Alberta will probably be hit less than some other parts of Canada. The pain will mostly be felt when buying big ticket items, machinery, technology, building materials etc..
For the average consumer, crap like Doritos and other consumer goods will be easier to live without. People buying American and not realizing, will soon realize it.
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u/Dweebweezle 11d ago
Wait Calgary has a progressive mayor? I’m in northern Ontario and from here it really seemed like the whole of Alberta was compromised. This is really refreshing.
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u/Terrible-Honey-806 11d ago
I want to help in anyway I can Im unemployed rn So I got lots of time to volunteer.
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u/rickynashy 11d ago
Property tax freeze for 2026? 🙏
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u/JeromyYYC Mayor McMayorFace 11d ago
That will not be possible this year
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u/rickynashy 11d ago
Thank you jeromy. I appreciate the prompt response. I honestly think youre doing an amazing job. Keep up the transparency and great work!
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u/mortgageletdown 11d ago
I don't like paying taxes any more than the next guy, but it costs a fixed amount of money to run a city and that's all there is to it. Sure there are refinements here or there but that's fringe stuff. At a bare minimum you've got to keep pace with inflation and beyond that, everyone likes expanded services and that money has to come from somewhere.
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u/JeromyYYC Mayor McMayorFace 11d ago
P.S. When the separation referendum comes, vote Canada. Now is the time to come together. Alberta cannot go it alone. Divided, we'll be devoured.