Two municipal leaders from Ontario—Regional Councillor Rowena Santos of Brampton and Regional Councillor Chris Leahy of Whitby—have joined forces to launch a digital campaign opposing President-Elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs. With Trump set to be sworn in on January 20, the councillors are urging municipal leaders to unite as part of a broader “Team Canada” effort to protect jobs and trade.
The ad campaign, unveiled by Santos and Leahy, will leverage geotargeting technology to deliver their message directly to Washington, D.C., during the inauguration. Attendees at the event, including high-profile U.S. government officials, will see ads warning of the consequences of a trade war.
“Thousands of Brampton residents rely on trade for their livelihoods,” said Santos, who highlighted the city’s significant role in Canada’s automotive and logistics sectors. “The Stellantis plant in Brampton, which will soon manufacture the Jeep Cherokee, depends on seamless trade. The CN intermodal station in Brampton is a critical hub for goods moving between Canada and the U.S. A slowdown in trade means job losses and reduced income for my community.”
Leahy echoed Santos’s concerns, emphasizing Durham Region’s reliance on trade and energy exports. “Durham is home to a GM manufacturing plant and two major nuclear power facilities—Pickering and Darlington. Trump’s tariffs on cars and car parts threaten jobs here. Likewise, Premier Doug Ford’s proposal to halt electricity sales to U.S. states like New York and Michigan would have a devastating impact on our region’s economy and the energy needs of our American neighbors.”
The councillors’ ads highlight the economic interdependence of Canada and the U.S. One features Santos at Brampton’s CN intermodal station, while another shows Leahy outside the Pickering nuclear facility. Both urge Americans to consider the fallout of a trade war, including potential job losses, higher energy costs, and disruptions in supply chains.
“Cities are the economic engines of their regions,” said Santos. “We need to send a strong message to Trump’s administration that a trade war will hurt both countries.”
Leahy underscored the need for a unified response. “Our nuclear facilities generate power not just for Durham Region but for New York and Michigan as well. Cutting off energy sales could lead to brownouts and higher energy bills in those states. This isn’t just a Canadian issue—it’s an American issue, too.”
Santos and Leahy are calling on other municipal leaders across Canada to join their campaign and collaborate with American counterparts to convey the risks of Trump’s trade policies. “We need civic leaders on both sides of the border to speak out. A trade war is a lose-lose scenario for everyone.”
Their bold initiative seeks to ensure the voices of local communities are heard, reinforcing the critical role cities play in the global economy.