Municipal uncertainty over tariff impact

The City of Lloydminster is uncertain about the impact of U.S. tariffs on its budget which was passed prior to the U.S. imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canada. 

“The extent of the Canada-U.S. tariff impact on municipal projects remains uncertain. Anticipated challenges include changes in funding and revenue, supply chain disruptions, material delays, and generally increased costs,” said Dion Pollard, City Manager. 

Saskatchewan and Alberta have put forward several retaliatory measures including encouraging municipalities to adopt Buy Canadian procurement strategies. 

Pollard noted, “The City will continue to communicate with government partners, vendors, service providers, and other stakeholders to evaluate these impacts over time.” 

MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright, Garth Rowswell noted the uncertainty of the times. 

“This is unknown territory for all levels of government and businesses. Our finance minister has said we plan for the worst and hope for the best. Some of the things that are in the budget to prepare for the unknown is a doubling of our contingency fund, lowering our expected price on oil and raising our differential between WTI and WCS. These are difficult times, and we will all have to manage through it the best we can.”