U.S. flag to stay up in Flag Park
Huntsville Council approved the new Muskoka Tariff Response measures, in the Mar 24, 2025, meeting.
According to the agenda, “It is anticipated that US tariffs will have devastating consequences for the Canadian economy, local jobs and our community.”
As a result, staff indicated that the Ontario Premier is encouraging municipalities to “restrict US based businesses from participating in municipal procurement.”
Staff recommended that the Town of Huntsville support the municipal procurement, and Council agreed to advocate for a “Canada preferred” approach when it comes to local businesses.
The Procurement By-law has been amended to allow restrictions on bids based on the location and production of suppliers, subcontractors, goods and services.
The agenda adds, “The Municipality shall GIVE PREFERENCE to goods and services that are manufactured, grown, or otherwise originate in Canada wherever practicable and in accordance with applicable trade agreements and laws.”
The goal is to strengthen the local economy, create jobs, and reduce the potential impact to the environment from long-distance transportation of products, continues the agenda.
It adds, “Exceptions may apply where Canadian goods or services are unavailable, significantly more expensive or fail to meet the Municipality’s required quality or performance.”
Economic and Development Officer, Lauren MacDermid, advised that staff are also open to conversations with local business that want to share any impacts they’ve experienced or anticipate “so we can work on your behalf.”
She added that the District of Muskoka also has a Muskoka Tariff Info Hub on their website providing resources to local businesses that may be impacted by the tariffs.
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, indicated that she has been meeting with local businesses, especially manufacturers, who have impressed her with their resilience, with many shifting to other markets and even expanding. She attributed this resilience to having gone through Covid, “so they know how to pivot.”
Council also discussed community requests for lowering the US flag in the flag park, and they all agreed that it’s the presidential administration that is the issue rather than the people. They concurred that it’s still important to be a welcoming community to American people that visit and spend money in the Town and voted in favour of keeping the US flag up.
They added that despite people comparing it to when the Russian flag was removed, it’s a different situation because the US wasn’t kicked out of the G8 like the Russians were.
Council also emphasized that the flags represent the people of a country rather than the administration running it.
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, suggested, “When they go low, we go high.”
Councillor, Cory Clarke, expressed that the flags also represent the G8, which is an important piece of history. He said, “I don’t like altering historical displays.”
MacDermid advised that this is a temporary situation that is subject to ongoing change.
Alcock agreed, saying, “Its constantly evolving and we’re trying to adapt with each announcement.
