A paving crew from Dexter Construction, fills in some patch cuts before resurfacing on Castle Hill Drive in Halifax on July 29, 2025. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentThis escalating trade war will strike another blow to affordability in Halifax, but Canada drew a line that needed to be drawn, said Mayor Andy Fillmore.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentHe told reporters that HRM can take steps to support Canadians through the municipality’s procurement process.Article contentArticle content“Households in HRM are already struggling with affordability, and (the tariffs are) in no way going to help those people. . . . The actions of the prime minister are broadly supported. I think he’s on exactly the right track,” Fillmore said.Article contentArticle content“A line needed to be drawn, and that’s what the prime minister did.”Article content Mayor Andy Fillmore talks to reporters at Halifax City Hall on Tuesday. Photo by Jen Taplin /The Chronicle HeralArticle contentTrade talks between the two nations broke down Friday, and the Trump administration announced 50 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney fired back Tuesday, announcing matching tariffs.Article contentMessaging from the premier and the provincial government also shows support for Carney and efforts for the country to become more self-reliant.Article contentFillmore said there will be a review of HRM’s procurement processes.Article content“Here at the city, we’ll be looking more closely at the procurement policies to make sure that we’re removing any roadblocks to buying Canadian,” he said.Article contentWhile there was some hope that easing some of those buy-Canadian measures would be a solid negotiating tactic, that failed.Article contentArticle content Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump are pictured in this file photo. Tensions between Canada and the United States remain after trade talks fell through. Photo by POSTMEDIA NEWS ARCHIVESArticle content“We’re going in a different direction now, and it appears we’re going to have to double down on the ‘buy local, buy Canadian’ measures. So that’ll have implications for HRM, and it has implications for our residents in their making decisions in their day-to-day lives.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThere’s also the issue of the mayor’s office being investigated after a June audit flagged four suspicious transactions totalling $111,697. RCMP are investigating and have not released an update.Article contentGet through the budget fasterArticle contentFillmore took aim at the months-long budgeting cycle, which typically wraps up in April. He told reporters it means large tenders aren’t going out until long after many or most contractors are already committed for the season.Article content“So we’re competing for people that are already very busy. And in some cases, we’re getting fewer responses back — in some cases, no responses back — because people’s work schedules are already full and they’ve got their employees all tied up.”Article contentGetting the budget done in January would make a big difference, he said.Article content“That’s the kind of thing I would love to see, so that we can get out and get our road work tenders out the door faster, more competitively, filling more potholes faster, more cheaply, and keeping businesses and goods and people moving on our streets. Roads are just one example of that.”Article contentThe federal government has shifted its budget schedule, Fillmore said, and there’s no reason HRM shouldn’t do it, too.Article content
Mayor says Halifax will look at more local procurement, faster tenders in response to U.S. tariffs
