City of Calgary assessing potential impact of tariffs on supplies as threat looms

Flags fly in front of the Calgary Municipal Building on Feb. 3, 2025. (CTV News)

Calgary’s mayor says city administration is looking closely at the possible impact a Canada-U.S. trade war would have on the supplies the city needs to properly run – from steel for infrastructure projects to chemicals used for water treatment.

“We’re still in a period of uncertainty, and all we can do right now is speculate whether there will or won’t be tariffs. But it’s important to make sure that we’re prepared,” Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Monday, the day before U.S. tariffs are supposed to come into effect.

“We need to be nimble and responsive. And to that end, our administration has taken a very good look at all the materials that could be impacted,” she said.

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A full understanding of that impact won’t be known until the tariffs are actually in place, Gondek added.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are speaking for a second time Monday about the impending measures.

Earlier Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said tariffs against Mexico have been paused for another month after an agreement to send 10,000 members of the national guard to the border was reached.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is calling on the federal government to support business if retaliatory measures are launched as expected.

A statement from chamber president and CEO Deborah Yedlin also called on Canadians to “prioritize unity across the country” in the face of a trade war.

“The Calgary Chamber of Commerce remains deeply concerned with the United States’ decision to move forward (with) tariffs on Canada. As always, our business community stands united with Canadians’ best interests, and we are ready to support Canada’s long-term economic prosperity and sovereignty – whatever it takes," Yedlin said.

While provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia announced immediate measures to respond to incoming tariffs, Alberta is still considering a response.

Premier Danielle Smith took to social media to declare Alberta “will do everything in its power” to convince the U.S. to reverse the “mutually destructive policy.”

“Cabinet will be meeting later this week to consider actions that could be taken by Alberta’s government in response to U.S. tariffs,” said a spokesperson for Smith’s office on Monday.

Mayor Gondek said a ‘Team Canada’ approach is needed but added municipalities need to be part of that conversation as well. She also wants to see Alberta retaliate in some way, should U.S. tariffs indeed begin on Tuesday.

“There is a time for diplomacy and then there’s a time for duty. Diplomacy gets you so far, but then you have to understand that your duty is to the people of your city, your province, and your nation. So, I hope we’re not forsaking what our people need in an effort to be diplomatic. I think we’ve got to be very realistic here,” Gondek said.