Brampton City Council Discusses Mayor Brown's 10-Point Tariff and Economic Resilience Plan

Brampton City Council discussed Mayor Patrick Brown's 10-point U.S. tariff and economic resilience plan, focused on protecting jobs, helping businesses adjust to tariffs, expanding export markets beyond the United States and accelerating major infrastructure projects. Council also discussed the stalled Stellantis assembly plant, where Brown said about 3,000 jobs remain at stake, and efforts to steer more municipal purchasing toward Canadian companies.

Topics Discussed

TARIFF RESPONSE AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

Mayor Patrick Brown introduced what he called "Brampton's 10-point US tariff and economic resilience plan," describing it as "a practical plan to protect jobs, help businesses compete, and build a stronger local economy in the midst of the turmoil that we're seeing right now with the Trump administration's punishing tariffs on American businesses and Canadian businesses."

Brown said the city cannot rely as heavily on the U.S. market as it has in the past. "I think geography has made us very comfortable where we just focused historically on what was easy. This moment in time is a healthy one in the sense that it's really focusing us on where can we export anywhere in the world."

He framed the response as coordinated across governments, saying Brampton would support local businesses while looking for new markets and investment opportunities.

CANADIAN PROCUREMENT AND LOCAL BUSINESS

Council discussed directing more of the city's purchasing toward Canadian suppliers where possible. Brown said the city spends roughly $350 million annually on goods, services and construction and argued that some of that spending can be shifted to domestic firms.

He also tied that approach to broader economic strategy, saying, "Let me say plainly and clearly, Canada is not America's economic problem. For generations, Canada has been part of America's competitive advantage. We will continue to build alliances that support open, mutually beneficial trade. In closing, we cannot control every decision made in Washington, but we can control how we support our businesses, attract investment, develop our workforce, and position Brampton to compete."

Examples raised during the discussion included Canadian firms involved in municipal technology, waste services and construction work. Council also heard that many Brampton businesses operate on both sides of the border, making them vulnerable to tariff disruptions.

STELLANTIS PLANT AND AUTOMOTIVE JOBS

The stalled Stellantis plant remained a major focus. Brown said the city is still pushing for automotive production to return to the site and warned that public subsidies came with obligations.

"Stellantis took billions in subsidies for production incentives for the automotive production in Windsor and Brampton. We do have legal tools where they'll owe that money back to Canadians. Our first choice is they come back, they bring a product back right away."

Brown said a proposal involving about 800 jobs would fall far short of the roughly 3,000 jobs previously tied to the plant. Council also discussed the city's earlier rezoning of the site for automotive use as part of efforts to preserve that employment base.

TRAINING AND BUSINESS SUPPORT

Council discussed support programs for businesses affected by tariffs, including help accessing federal relief and training programs. The meeting also touched on artificial-intelligence training and skilled-trades preparation intended to help workers and firms adapt.

Brown said the city is trying to position Brampton for growth in multiple sectors if U.S.-Canada trade becomes less reliable. He said staff are in talks with defence manufacturers about possible local production.

"I would say we are actively speaking to major defense companies about production in Brampton. Whether it is light armored vehicles, whether it is ammunition, whether it is military drones, we have active conversations with defense companies about creating manufacturing here in Brampton as part of the opportunities created by Prime Minister Carney's commitment to meet NATO defense spending targets."

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

Brown said the city also wants to speed up major capital projects as an economic response. "Our ninth point is we will accelerate infrastructure projects. This is one that I think could be a major economic stimulus program for Brampton. We have major projects, 10 major projects representing $9 billion in investment, including the second hospital construction, which was supposed to start in the fall."

He said Brampton has a much larger capital pipeline than a decade ago and said accelerating construction could help offset tariff-related economic pressure.

Motions

• No motions were identified as passed, rejected or deferred in the material provided.

Attendees

Council Members Mentioned

• Mayor Patrick Brown
• Councillor Rowena Santos
• Councillor Rod Power

Staff

• Denise McClure, Director of Economic Development