Blog

Since the U.S.-Canada trade war escalated after talks broke down in August, the Chamber network, including the Canadian and Ontario Chambers, have been feverishly active advocating for business, providing information and bridging the gap between businesses and the government.

It’s an important role that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the local business community as it continues to navigate these turbulent economic times.

“We rely and depend on the Chamber of Commerce to provide us with awareness and provide us with information about the available (financial) programs from all levels of government,” says Abbas Khan, President and CEO of Air Power Products Limited in Cambridge. “I think what’s really important is the lobbying aspect and the timeliness of getting responses so we can make small businesses feel comfortable knowing what’s on the immediate short term, midterm and long-term horizons in terms of relief.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Cambridge Chamber Commerce President and CEO Greg Durocher, especially as the trade dispute continues to rollercoaster between the two nations.

“There's been a disconnect continually because of the real lack of ability for the federal government and its bureaucracy to directly connect with businesses on the streets and boulevards of our communities, basically on any issue,” he says. “We (Chamber) can bridge that connection, not unlike what we did with the COVID rapid screening kits, where we connected the federal government supply with the small businesses that needed the material.”

It’s a welcomed connection for a company like Air Power Products Limited, which designs, manufacturers and distributes industrial air compressors, air dryers, gas separation systems, and vacuum systems, and has been a staple in Cambridge’s manufacturing community since 1980.

Tariffs damaging businesses on both sides of border

While not directly impacted by U.S. tariffs since nearly 99% of its sales are domestic, the company is affected when Canada reciprocates since steel is its prominent raw material and it purchases tanks from two American companies – Samuel Pressure Vessel Group and Manchester Tank & Equipment Co. 

“When Canada reciprocates and puts whatever ‘X’ percentage of tariffs on U.S. incoming goods, it affects us on the purchasing side,” says Abbas. “So, we have seen astronomical price increases over the last year and half, to two years, in the area of steel anyway and now with these tariffs, we have to figure out a way to pass them on or negotiate with our customers.

"But we’re fortunate because there are only two primary suppliers of these kinds of tanks, everybody must buy from them, so we haven’t lost a competitive advantage because of that because everyone buying from them are facing the same challenges. If there were Canadian manufacturers making those tanks, that would be our first choice.”

To offset challenges like these affecting businesses, the Chamber network – specifically the Canadian Chamber of Commerce which the Cambridge Chamber is a member of - has consistently argued that tariffs are damaging to businesses on both sides of the border and has pushed for negotiated solutions rather than prolonged retaliation. 

Diversification and lifting internal trade barriers key

The Canadian Chamber has also been communicating the concerns of Canadian exporters and importers to federal policymakers, particularly about the effects of tariffs on manufacturing, supply chains, investment, and competitiveness.

Also, the Chamber network, both the Canadian and Ontario Chambers, have been helping companies understand which products are subject to U.S. tariffs, how the rules apply and what the changing trade measures mean for their operations. This has become increasingly important as the tariff regime has become much more complicated.

As well, the Chamber network has been pushing for diversification and driving home important messages to both federal and provincial leaders that Canada needs to reduce its vulnerability to the U.S. market by expanding trade with other countries and, importantly, by removing internal trade barriers within Canada. The latter would make it easier for Canadian companies to sell domestically when U.S. access becomes more difficult.

“The governments of Canada and Ontario cannot be held responsible for the misguided, illegal actions of another country,” said Ontario Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Daniel Tisch, in a press release. “They will, however, be judged on how well they make good on their promise to build a more dynamic economy: incentivizing business investment, expanding interprovincial and international trade, building infrastructure, developing a skilled workforce, and making it attractive for high-potential businesses to grow and sustain themselves in Canada. We are making exciting progress but must now move even faster.”

Creating a skilled workforce remains a priority

The need to develop that skilled workforce is paramount, says Greg, noting the urgency for the federal government to overhaul the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) program which he describes as arduous, expensive, and slow, in meeting the needs of the business community, especially for SMEs which drive approximately 63% of Canadian employment.

“The (federal government) should be engaging with the Chamber network from coast to coast to hold roundtables, to hold discussions about this so we can help businesses looking for people navigate the LMIA process, whether it's called that or it's something else, with a lot less red tape and paperwork,” he says. “I would contest today we still don't have on immigration system that is truly based on economics and we need to go back to the foundation of that.”

Abbas agrees, noting since the pandemic ended, there has been a struggle finding employees with the necessary skills.

“The desire to work was a lot less,” he says, referring to the post-COVID labour landscape. “We need people with hands-on experience. Someone with a PhD with no experience is not the skill set we’re looking for.”

Chamber network at work

Practical information: The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has built a Canada–U.S. Trade Tracker and toolkit with trade data, tariff exposure information, templates and guidance for businesses communicating with U.S. partners. The CCC has also introduced its Canadian Business Resilience Hub that brings together tools, insights and resources to help businesses navigate instability, adapt to changing economic and trade conditions and find opportunities to compete and grow. The Cambridge Chamber also provides important information and a list of resources at chambercheck.ca.

Government advocacy: The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is feeding business concerns directly into federal decision-making, including through the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations and the 2026 CUSMA review.

Market diversification: Both the Canadian and Ontario Chambers of Commerce are encouraging businesses to reduce dependence on the U.S. by developing other export markets and strengthening domestic supply chains. The CCC has also undertaken international missions, while the OCC points businesses toward programs such as CanExport and Trade Commissioner Service support.

Ontario-specific support: The OCC is collecting direct reports from affected businesses, connecting them with government programs, and providing practical SME guidance on pricing, contracts, suppliers, inventory, customs compliance, and tariff exclusions.