A number of Mississauga businesses negatively impacted by U.S. tariffs amid the ongoing trade war between Canada and its closest neighbour will receive property tax relief and other aid as the city seeks to ease their financial burden.<\/p>\n
Mississauga city council unanimously agreed on Wednesday to have senior municipal staff develop a more specific plan to protect local businesses \u2014 particularly small- and medium-sized operations \u2014 in the wake of the tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Aug. 22.<\/p>\n
The suspension of trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. on Aug. 21<\/a> and subsequent tariffs \u201cpresent a significant and ongoing threat to Mississauga\u2019s businesses and workers,\u201d City of Mississauga officials said earlier.<\/p>\n The motion adopted on Wednesday, which was tabled by Mayor Carolyn Parrish, includes several ways in which the city can help businesses weather the storm brought on by the tension in trade relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n Property tax relief in 2027 for businesses<\/p>\n Among the options to be investigated by staff are a \u201cbroad property class or general tax payment relief for the 2027 tax year,\u201d property tax deferrals for businesses feeling financial hardship due to the tariffs, an application-based tax instalment deferral program, grant funding opportunities and other initiatives.<\/p>\n Senior city staff will now evaluate the various options and report back to council as soon as possible.<\/p>\n In supporting the motion on Wednesday, several councillors spoke about the importance of protecting Mississauga businesses and suggested the city keep provincial and federal governments in the loop as they could offer help as well.<\/p>\n Parrish said since the tariffs were imposed, the city has been looking at ways to help the businesses most impacted, particularly those that deal directly with the U.S.<\/p>\n Last 30 Days: 48,979 Votes<\/p>\n All Time: 1,519,558 Votes<\/p>\n 878 VOTES Mississauga\u2019s economy vulnerable to U.S. tariffs<\/p>\n The city has said it\u2019s moving fast to protect local businesses given Mississauga\u2019s economy \u201cis particularly vulnerable to U.S. tariffs,\u201d with 18 per cent of total employment in Canada\u2019s seventh-largest city, roughly 89,000 jobs, \u201ctied directly to U.S. exports.\u201d<\/p>\n Key areas affected include automotive parts, machinery and electronics, plastics and rubber, furniture, and steel and aluminum products, the city noted earlier.<\/p>\n In response to U.S. tariffs, city officials have also said local businesses need to look to markets other than their neighbour to the south<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is clear that we must diversify our international trade partnerships,\u201d the city said earlier. \u201cMississauga has always been open to the world. That openness will facilitate an expansion of productive and solid international partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n Among other things, the adopted motion\u2019s preamble noted:<\/p>\n The city met with the Mississauga Board of Trade, which represents some 1,000 larger businesses across the city in addition to numerous smaller operations, on Aug. 25 to map out ways the city can advocate for and support small- and medium-sized businesses and jobs disrupted by the economic uncertainty. Canadian PM called off talks in the U.S.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Aug. 21 rejection by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of a proposed U.S. trade agreement \u2014 described by the PM as a \u201cbad deal\u201d \u2014 and subsequent suspension of talks between the two nations has raised the temperature on both sides of the border.<\/p>\n The breakdown in negotiations also led to the introduction by the U.S. of 50 per cent tariffs<\/a> that target $28 billion in Canadian goods ranging from hockey sticks and honey to essential oils and dairy products.<\/p>\n Carney, whose promised retaliatory tariffs took effect on Sept. 8, called off talks with the Americans<\/a> after accusing the U.S. administration of introducing measures that included restrictions on Canada\u2019s ability to do deals with other countries.<\/p>\n
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\nCity council in March 2025, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s initial tariffs, approved Invest Mississauga\u2019s Partners in Trade Response Plan, a city-wide response to support small- and medium-sized businesses through advisory services, export diversification, access to government programs, advocacy and procurement measures that strengthen domestic suppliers and local supply chains.
\nCity officials have already taken tariff-related actions in the city\u2019s procurement framework to support Ontario-based suppliers and strengthen local supply chains.
\nCity staff has applied for $1.5 million in federal funding that would help Mississauga deliver a trade mission acceleration program designed to help small- and medium-sized businesses diversify into non-U.S. markets through export readiness training and trade missions.<\/p>\n