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Councillor says it may be OK to buy some U.S. products

'There are family businesses, before the tariffs happened, where they bought inventory. It's from the United States' - Coun. Sandra Hollingsworth
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Ward 1 councillor Sandra Hollingsworth speaks to city council on Nov. 18, 2024

Ward 1 Coun. Sandra Hollingsworth fully supports the current 'Buy Canadian' movement.

But she says there may still be times when it's appropriate to buy U.S. merchandise from local stores.

"Five hundred per cent, we need to support Canadian goods," Hollingsworth told tonight's city council meeting.

"Five hundred per cent, we need to support Canadian businesses, family businesses.

"Doesn't matter what size: large, medium, what not, absolutely.

"However, I just want to also mention there are family businesses out there, before the tariffs happened, where unfortunately or fortunately, they bought inventory.

"And the inventory that are on people's shelves right now, unfortunately or fortunately, they can't pull off. It's made in the United States.

"We want to make sure that those small businesses are not stuck with American-made inventory, where they're not going to get their money back."

"Please remember that we have family businesses out there that have American-made items, and I hate to see them stuck on the shelves getting dusty, where they not going to get their money back.

"So please don't always just ignore those items. If you buy those items, you're liquidating them, and you bring money back into that business.

"Having said that, just be cautious again. I'm not disagreeing. I'm just saying, let's help all businesses," Hollingsworth added.

She was commenting on a report from Brent Lamming, the city's director of community services, detailing how the city is developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.



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