Now, more than ever, Salmon Arm business and economic development organizations are encouraging residents to shop Canadian and shop local in light of recently imposed tariffs.
The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Society (SAEDS) issued media releases explaining the impacts of the U.S. implementing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and the challenges it creates for local businesses. In response, they urge people to work together, strengthen interprovincial trade and reduce reliance on foreign goods to boost the Canadian economy.
“Tariffs put pressure on businesses and consumers alike, but by supporting Canadian products and local businesses as much as possible, we can keep dollars in our community and build economic resilience,” Salmon Arm Chamber executive director Christine Jontz-Barbour said in a media release. “Removing interprovincial trade barriers and providing incentives to keep goods flowing freely within our borders are critical steps in mitigating the impact of these tariffs.
“By making it easier for businesses to trade across provinces, we can strengthen Canada’s economy and support local industries, and ensure our businesses remain competitive.”
To help people navigate the new economic landscape, the chamber will be hosting a virtual roundtable Friday, March 14 at 12 p.m. to discuss the impact of the tariffs and ways to mitigate the challenges ahead. It will provide the opportunity for business owners and members of the public to share concerns, ask questions and collaborate on potential solutions. Feedback from the session will be taken directly to MLA David Williams and MP Mel Arnold.
To participate in the roundtable, RSVP to admin@sachamber.bc.ca.
Another resource people can access is the Salmon Arm Economic Development’s tariff resource page on the saeds.ca website, or contact executive director Lana Fitt directly at edo@saeds.ca.
“In terms of how residents can help our businesses during this challenging time, we encourage you to continue to support local,” Fitt said in the release. “SAEDS has ongoing ‘Love Your Local’ campaigns running to create the awareness of the importance and value of supporting local.”
She also announced they will be launching the first ever Shuswap Food Directory, an online searchable resource identifying locally grown and produced food, and where to buy them. That will debut in the coming weeks with more information to follow closer to the date.
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