Municipalities are heavily affected by outside economic factors that can impact their revenue and investments. Issues like supply chain disruptions, border crossing closures, and potential U.S. tariffs threaten the economies that they depend on, while trade barriers between provinces and territories make it harder to shift to more stable Canadian markets. The removal of key services, such as postal services, and unnecessary levels of taxation make the ongoing survival of our communities even more challenging.
“This is a time of great uncertainty for all of North America,” said SUMA President Randy Goulden. “While much of that uncertainty is out of our control, it is critical that the next federal government do what they can to provide stability. That will require them to take a leadership role in opening up Canadian markets, reducing economic barriers, and maintaining key services upon which our communities depend.”
Unity and consistency are going to be essential as businesses struggle to improve and replace supply chains and find new markets. Existing services, such as Canada Post, will become even more important to keep costs down and to serve more remote communities, and improved access to interprovincial trade may provide some necessary relief for individual industries.
“What we need is a genuine vision for Canada, and the economic, development, and trade policies to support it,” said President Goulden. “This is a time for unity and cooperation across the country – from sea to sea.”
This federal election, make municipalities matter. Visit suma.org for more information and to see the SUMA election hub.
