How will Gatineau industries have to deal with the imposition of American customs tariffs?

Mélissa Gélinas

On February 4, 2025, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that the entry into force of the imposition of 25% customs tariffs on Canadian imports would be delayed by one month. In Gatineau, the forestry, metal, steel, aluminum, agri-food and digital industries would be the most affected by this potential economic measure.

“Obviously, we quickly wondered what the impact would be on our local economy, and therefore on our businesses and on our workers,” said Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette.

Although Canada obtained a 30-day reprieve, it is still difficult to anticipate the many economic impacts that such a measure will have. “We’re going to have to adjust,” said the mayor. “[…] obviously, there are some who have contracts, there are some who fear short-term liquidity challenges, which could actually lead to closures and job losses,” she added. However, the City of Gatineau has a relatively reassuring record regarding its purchases in the United States. “In 2023, there were 85% Quebec suppliers, 10% Ontario suppliers and 4.5% from the rest of Canada,” explained Marquis-Bissonnette. “There remained 0.5% of our purchases that were made internationally, including in the United States.”

“That said, we have identified 78 American suppliers in Gatineau for whom we will have to find Quebec, Canadian or even international alternatives in the event that customs tariffs are imposed,” the mayor mentioned.

In this regard, a watch (set of monitoring activities aimed at improving a company’s competitiveness) has been set up at the city level to support businesses and monitor the evolution of the situation. “Leadership is at the city level through the Economic Development Office, ID Gatineau and Edmond Leclerc, the President of the Economic Development Commission, who has also made several calls,” the mayor emphasized.

In addition, Export Outaouais and the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce will contribute to this action plan. “This is a great initiative, and I want to emphasize it to truly be able to prioritize, once again, our local businesses to the detriment of American businesses,” the mayor said.

A working committee will be set up, among other things. “The message I want to convey today is that we all have a responsibility and an ability to act in the face of the situation,” she emphasizes.

“Obviously, there are things that fall under the responsibility of the levels of government, but I think we can all make an effort to buy local, to buy from Gatineau, Quebec, Canadian or even international companies,” she concludes.