By Beryl Wajsman, and Dan Laxer The Suburban

Despite the tariff reprieve until March 1,The Suburban decided to get a sense of how the Montreal business community could be affected at the local level.

While it was all well and good for politicians to react at the macro level — including the now delayed threat to pull American products off SAQ shelves — and the general provincial and federal statements about financial support, the picture on main street is troubling indeed.

When Finance Minister Eric Girard – also Minister Responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebeckers – said that there will be measures to ensure that. “We will protect our economy, our business, and our citizens,” he, like his counterparts, had few specifics. In part because since Canada had never faced such a serious trade threat, few could calculate the full ramifications.

Bold statements are necessary to give Canadians courage, but they do not address the specific damaging effects on individuals and companies. The tariffs would be an existential threat to lives and livelihoods.

Elliot Lifson, President of the Canadian Apparel Federation and Vice-Chairman of Montreal’s Peerless Clothing- Canada’s largest menswear manufacturer with a massive export component — had this to say to The Suburban. “The margins in this industry — one of Canada’s largest — are too slim to absorb the tariffs. if there is no permanent resolution, our focus will be on protecting the jobs and livelihoods of our workers. And to do that this industry will need help from all three levels of government.” Peerless has some 4,000 workers at its east end facility in Montreal.

The Suburban also contacted several transport companies. Many of their executives were not available for comment and at least one did not want to comment. However, Lachine-based Prince Logistic Services dispatcher Emilio Fiore pointed out that, “our biggest fear is that markets slow down, less product goes to the U.S., less product comes in and definitely it would impact the transport industry.”

We also contacted executives in heavy industry and tech sectors. Though none wanted to speak for attribution, one common thread was that they are trying to reach their American clients and see whether a mutual absorption of tariffs was possible. None had yet concluded any arrangements.

~ with files

from Joel Goldenberg n