While senior governments manage international trade negotiations, Hamilton has an important role to play at home. We are Canada’s industrial capital, and we must use every municipal lever available to shield local jobs, protect workers, and keep our industries running.

In his role as President & CEO at Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, Keanin started this national conversation with municipal leaders across Canada. As Mayor, he will put Hamilton’s purchasing power to work for Hamilton, Ontario, and Canada.

1) PROCURE LOCAL AND DOMESTIC

The City of Hamilton has significant purchasing power and we should use it strategically and transparently. City Hall should be one of Hamilton's biggest customers.

• • Make Buy Hamilton and Buy Canadian a clear priority in municipal procurement
  • Set measurable targets for increasing Canadian and local purchasing
  • Publicly report how municipal tax dollars are being reinvested right here at home

2) LEAD THE NATIONAL BUY CANADIAN MOVEMENT

Hamilton should lead the Buy Canadian conversation. Keanin will build on his work with Canada’s steel industry to make domestic procurement a practical priority and help turn Buy Canadian into a coordinated national strategy.

• • Share best practices and develop common approaches to domestic procurement and understand that buying local and Canadian will deliver value for taxpayers
  • Advocate to provincial and federal governments for policies that strengthen Canadian supply chains and make domestic procurement easier
  • Invite municipalities across Canada to source from Hamilton, including steel, manufactured products and other industrial goods

3) KEEP CASH IN LOCAL BUSINESSES

For businesses facing tariff-related disruption, cash flow can mean the difference between keeping workers on the payroll and cutting jobs.

• • Establish an interest-free property tax deferral on qualifying commercial and industrial property taxes for businesses demonstrably impacted by tariffs
  • Explore faster payment terms for qualifying Hamilton-based small and medium-sized businesses that supply the City, helping get municipal dollars into the local economy faster

4) PROTECT HAMILTON'S INDUSTRIAL BASE

Hamilton’s manufacturing and industrial sectors are the backbone of our economy. They should have a direct line to City Hall when trade disruption puts jobs, investment or operations at risk.

• • Create a Hamilton Tariff Impact Concierge Service to help at-risk manufacturers, steel companies and industrial businesses navigate government relief programs, procurement and export opportunities, permitting, retooling, investment and expansion opportunities

5) SELL HAMILTON TO CANADA AND THE WORLD

Hamilton has the assets to compete — steel, advanced manufacturing, skilled workers, a deep-water port and strategic infrastructure. We must look beyond today’s tariff dispute and compete for the next generation of investment and jobs.

• • Use the City’s economic development efforts to actively attract companies looking to reshore or diversify their supply chains
  • Help Hamilton companies reduce their dependence on any single market by connecting them with new customers and opportunities across Canada and internationally