London Economic Response Team hosts national webinar on trade uncertainty

Canadian cities are finding new ways to strengthen their local economies and support communities amid a changing trade environment. While slowing growth and shifting global trade policies present challenges, municipalities across the country are taking proactive steps to adapt, innovate, and build resilience.

Today, municipal and trade leaders from across Canada participated in a national virtual panel to discuss how cities are responding to these changes. The discussion highlighted how municipalities, as first responders in the shifting trade landscape, are leveraging local strengths and cross-border connections to support businesses, workers, and communities. Panellists also explored opportunities for collaboration with provincial and federal governments to drive sustainable growth and strengthen Canada’s trade resilience.

The conversation emphasized the critical role municipalities play in shaping Canada’s economic future, as the local impacts of global trade disruptions are often felt first in cities.

The event featured a panel of distinguished participants, including David Paterson, Ontario’s Representative in Washington, D.C., Mayor Josh Morgan of the City of London, Ontario, Mayor Donna Reardon of the City of Saint John, New Brunswick, and Mayor Alanna Hnatiw of Sturgeon County, Alberta. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Romel Mostafa from the Lawrence National Centre at Ivey Business School.

Driven by the mandate of the London Economic Response T eam (LERT), the webinar was hosted in partnership with the City of London, the Lawrence National Centre at Ivey Business School, the London Chamber of Commerce, the London Economic Development Corporation, the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, and the London Small Business Centre, with support from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Quotes

“Today’s discussion further underlines what municipalities like London already know. The impacts of global trade changes are felt first in our cities, and local leadership is essential to meeting these challenges head-on. London is uniquely positioned to work closely with our regional partners to leverage the strength of our advanced manufacturing sector, growing tech ecosystem, and skilled workforce to adapt and thrive in a changing economic landscape. I’m grateful for the opportunity to discuss the collaboration shown across government and by our partners here in our city. Together, we’re building the resilience needed to support businesses, protect our workers, and ensure sustainable, long-term growth for our community and beyond.”

- Josh Morgan, Mayor of London, ON

“As we fight our way through U.S. tariffs and trade uncertainty, it’s critical for governments at all levels to keep in close contact and collaboration with businesses and other stakeholders, including counterparts on the U.S. side of the border who generally pay the tariffs and face many of the same challenges. It's helpful to remind our American cousins that Canada is their ally, their biggest customer and an essential supplier of most of the essential things needed for our mutual success.”

- David Paterson, Ontario’s Representative in Washington

“Municipalities are on the front lines of global trade shocks, but they are also where practical innovations, partnerships, and new opportunities are emerging to strengthen Canada’s economic resilience. With long-standing ties with their U.S. counterparts, businesses, and communities, and a clear understanding of the impacts of tariffs on the ground, cities play a pivotal role in mobilizing cross-border coalitions to steadily chip away at the ‘hard shell’ of tariff stubbornness. At the Centre, we will continue convening these conversations to ensure policy is grounded in the lived realities of communities and supported by effective coordination across municipal, provincial, and federal governments—alongside our partners in the U.S.”

- Romel Mostafa, Professor and Director, Lawrence National Centre

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