Vancouver city council votes to defer ‘Choose Canada’ motion to special meeting

IN a rare show of unity at City Hall, council unanimously supported moves that would make sure tax dollars go to local companies.

Vancouver city council unanimously voted to postpone a motion to address how the city can combat the looming threat of U.S. tariffs.

On Tuesday, Mayor Ken Sim tabled the motion to review Green Coun. Pete Fry’s proposal at an upcoming special council meeting, for the issue to be addressed further.

“I’d like for our council to have some dedicated time where we can give this issue our full attention,” he said. “We do want to ensure that we consider all of the options available to us at the City of Vancouver.”

Sim noted the rare, unanimous support. “In the chamber, we may not agree on everything,” Sim said. “I can tell you, I think we’re all very united when it comes to supporting Canada and everyone who calls Canada home.”

Asked about the decision, Fry said: “I welcome it because at the end of the day, these are the kind of priorities that I think we do share.”

“We all want what’s best for our city and our country. So, if we can work together on common goals, then let’s do it,” he added.

Review of procurement policy

The initial motion from Fry was titled “Choose Canada: Trump’s Tariffs and Buy Local Imperative,” and called for aligning “local, provincial, and national priorities as necessary to counter foreign policies designed to harm the Canadian economy or sovereignty.”

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday that would implement a 25 per cent tariff on almost all Canadian imports, with a lesser 10 per cent tariff on energy imports. While initially scheduled to take effect Tuesday, the tariffs have since been delayed for 30 days.

Fry’s motion directs staff to review the city’s procurement policies to prioritize Canadian suppliers.

“We have four years of uncertainty ahead of us,” he said. “So, let’s start looking at how we can pivot. Let’s start looking at how we can really support our local industries or local businesses and support a ‘Team Canada’ approach.”

‘The city’s money is the people’s money’

Fry’s motion also directs the city to work with community organizations, such as business improvement associations, to explore opportunities to promote “Buy Local” or “Buy Canadian” campaigns.

Neil Wyles, executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association, called Fry’s motion “excellent,” but said he believes municipalities should always prioritize local. “For all intents and purposes, the city’s money is the people’s money, and they should be putting it back into our local economy in any way that they possibly can,” he said.