“Canadian businesses have shown remarkable resilience under immense pressure, and they will not relent now. This will get tougher, but we know Canada can navigate it, if we’re united. The reason our economy has been so strong is in no small part because of the choices businesses have made in the last year and a half.
As Canada’s largest business association, we will be mobilizing our network of businesses in all regions and all sectors to brace for impact and make the best of a bad situation.
We are, in general, opposed to tariffs because businesses and households ultimately pay the price. But if Canada responds, it should do so with a strong hand — surgically, strategically and in close consultation with business. We should be careful not to inflict more economic damage on ourselves in the process.
We are optimistic that Canada and the United States will be back at the table in due time. We have faith in our negotiating team and need to give them the trust and space to bring about the right deal. In the meantime, we need to get back to the work we control: opening our internal market, diversifying trade and making our economy more competitive and resilient.”
— Candace Laing, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations