Toronto’s Love Local campaign encourages residents to support community businesses as Canada deals with tariff threats
By JOSHUA McGINNIS
During these times of tariffs and threats of annexation from the United States, the City of Toronto has launched its Love Local campaign encouraging residents to support community businesses and help keep Canada strong.
The campaign was launched at an event in East Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood on March 22.
“The Love Local campaign is helping Toronto residents and business owners to shop local and buy Canadian. We must stand together to protect Canadian jobs and support local businesses, creating jobs right here in our neighbourhoods. We will face the senseless U.S. trade threat and emerge stronger than ever before,” said Mayor Olivia Chow in a news release from the City of Toronto announcing the campaign.
The Love Local campaign is part of a larger action plan approved by Toronto Council at its meeting on March 25. The action plan includes increasing purchasing from Canadian suppliers for city procurement and limiting American suppliers’ chances to bid on city contracts.
One of the items also listed in the plan is to introduce an Industrial Property Tax Program, which would allow eligible industrial property owners up to six months of deferral time to pay property tax without fear of late penalties or interest charges.
As part of the Love Local campaign, the city has placed six large signs that light up at night in some high-profile areas including East Lynn Park on Danforth Avenue just west of Woodbine Avenue.
Local businesses are also encouraged to display Love Local campaign decals to motivate Torontonians to buy local and support their community.
According to the City of Toronto, when residents shop locally, it creates jobs and local tax revenue that helps maintain city infrastructure.
While the situation is constantly changing on what the position of the United States is, tariffs on numerous Canadian goods, along with those previously announced, are expected on April 2.
Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Flecther joined Mayor Chow for the launch of Love Local in Riverside.
“Small businesses are a pillar of our city’s economy and the beating heart of our local communities. The Love Local campaign is about making sure they continue to thrive. By supporting this campaign, we ensure Toronto’s neighbourhoods can remain vibrant and dynamic spaces for residents to enjoy,” said Fletcher in a city news release,
Also in attendance at the Love Local campaign launch was Jennifer Lay, executive director of the Riverside BIA.
“Buying local is vital to the survival of small businesses,” said Lay. “In addition, joint initiatives like this — in collaboration with the city, local businesses and the BIA — help foster a caring, resilient and vibrant main street business community.”
Along with East Lynn Park, other Love Local signs in Toronto can be found at:
- Toronto Public Library Agincourt Branch
- Nathan Phillips Square
- Mel Lastman Square
- St. Clements-Yonge Parkette
- Port Union Community Recreation Centre
To learn more about how the City of Toronto is responding to tariffs from the United States and how to get involved, please visit https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-support/responding-to-united-states-economic-policy/
- Joshua McGinnis is a journalism student from Centennial College who is on placement with Beach Metro Community News.
