Border mayors say they're on the front line of the tariff war and need government help
CBC
Border mayors from across Canada say they're on the front line of the tariff war with the United States and are disproportionately suffering as a result.
Border communities "are at a breaking point," said Barbara Barrett, executive director of Frontier Duty Free Association, who moderated a virtual meeting of border mayors on Friday.
"We are calling on the federal government to step up now with targeted financial support and a plan that recognizes the unique vulnerabilities of border-dependent communities and the businesses that keep them alive."
And if help doesn't come soon, some businesses will close permanently, said Trina Jones, mayor of Woodstock, N.B.
"We know as border mayors for our communities, there already are businesses that are being impacted by the uncertainty," she said.
She said it feels "very reminiscent of the pandemic."
Jones said she'd like to see the same sort of government support extended now — and quickly. She said her community is already feeling the effects of reduced traffic.
She said residents feel "like they're in a holding pattern."
Mayors from border communities across the country expressed similar concerns. Together, they're calling on federal and provincial governments to help them through a challenging time.
The Border Mayors Alliance, which was formed in 2024, say they're being "disproportionately impacted" by tariffs and reduced cross-border travel.
"Border communities and businesses that rely on cross-border travel are facing a new economic crisis. Still recovering from the impact of pandemic-era border closures, border community businesses are now grappling with additional economic pressures that threaten their survival," the group said.
St. Stephen, N.B., Mayor Allan MacEachern said some border communities like his still haven't recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We need to know that our government's got our backs," he said.
MacEachern said border towns "rely on the movement of people and product. And when people and product don't cross our borders, it's a huge impact on our communities."
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