While tariffs were talked about during recent north Simcoe council meetings, municipal leaders wished to remind others that it was a matter better left to higher tiers of government to address.
At the Tiny Township committee of the whole meeting on Wednesday, the municipality received a favourable drinking water quality report, which influenced a water meter installation program decision.
It was noted in the discussion that any funds saved as a result of the Phase 1 project could be put toward pre-purchasing equipment for the second phase, due to fluctuating decisions on tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump since February.
Following the meeting, Tiny Mayor Dave Evans spoke with MidlandToday regarding challenges of procuring equipment for the township in an unstable tariff climate.
“At this point, I can speak from experience in other sectors: It really hasn’t hit home yet,” said Evans. “We really haven’t had the actual implementation in terms of the actual outlay. I think that people are going to get a shock in all levels of society when they see how the costs go up.”
He stated his confidence in adapting and modifying procurement sources, adding: “We’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best.”
“We’re also looking in our Tiny Township administration centre committee at some of the more involved components like HVAC components and things. There are alternate sources, and Europe is one place that we’re looking at right now as well to alleviate any concerns we have with what’s coming from the U.S.”
Following the Penetanguishene regular meeting of council later that day, Mayor Doug Rawson told MidlandToday he had full confidence in the experts at the Simcoe County level of government, who would be best to guide the municipality.
“I sit on economic development for the county. The county wrote a report for us on March 2; they said by March 11, it was already out of date based on how quickly things are changing,” Rawson said.
“I think about spin-off and jobs (even for our town); in the last year alone, how much money the governments — provincial, federal, county, municipal — have given commitments for Honda, it’s tremendous.
“If we think about that as an example and we think about tariffs, it affects all of us.”
Rawson also said that as a municipally elected official, his responsibility was toward management, citing examples such as snow clearing and road maintenance.
“I think we muddy the waters when we get emotional about a crisis like what’s going on,” he said.
“We’ll manage what we manage. Once we get in other people’s territory, I think it makes the water extra murky.”
His point was unintentionally highlighted minutes later, when Coun. Bill Waters, a normally quiet councillor with moments of keen interest, brought attention to several letters within the council information package by other municipalities across Ontario making tariff statements to support Canada and its various industry producers.
When asked if Penetanguishene could join the ranks and issue a letter of support like other municipalities, Rawson informed Waters that if council agreed, it would have to wait for the next regular council meeting for approval. The matter was further dropped as the council information package was simply received for information.