At the VIP breakfast hosted by the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce, South Dundas Mayor Jason Broad, Stormont, Dundas, and South Glengarry MPP Nolan Quinn, and Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry MPP Eric Duncan were guest speakers. Towards the conclusion of the breakfast meeting, the representatives of the three levels of government engaged in a Q and A session with the audience. Tinkess Photo

MORRISBURG – Promises of a hearty breakfast and a chance to meet with local politicians attracted a large crowd to the Morrisburg Legion for a VIP breakfast meeting hosted by the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce. Those in attendance had an opportunity to network before sitting down to a meal that included bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, coffee, tea, and apple or orange juice.

The guest speakers for the event were South Dundas Mayor Jason Broad, Stormont, Dundas, and South Glengarry MPP Nolan Quinn, and Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry MPP Eric Duncan. South Dundas Chamber President Randy North acted as master of ceremonies.

Not surprisingly each of the politicians in turn spoke about what was on every one’s mind, the threat of tariffs and how to deal with US President Donald Trump.

Mayor Broad spoke about the increased emphasis on shopping Canadian and shopping local. “So just think about staying local as much as you can to shop, which is really important to our services and our businesses,” said Mayor Broad.

He also spoke of his involvement with the Border Mayors group, which had been started by Windsor Mayor Drew Delkins. Mayors of border communities, both Canada and the US are trying to work together to try and counteract the effects of the predatory trade practices that don’t benefit either country. Mayor Broad said he had spoken with Waddington Mayor Michael Zagrobelny and that Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale had reached out to his counterpart in Massena, New York.

“We have some plans to get together all along the St Lawrence on both sides and do a joint meeting here in the future and just get to know each other and see where we can work on the future of the Seaway and tourism and things that could benefit both of us,” said Mayor Broad.

The second speaker of the morning was MPP Quinn, who spoke of the provincial governments resolve in forcing the US to reconsider their move to implement tariffs.

“We do recognize the urgency of it,” said MPP Quinn. “I think the one thing that has resonated with Donald Trump is us possibly shutting off power. We don’t want to necessarily do that, but that seems to be the one bargaining chip as (Robert) Lighthizer actually reached out to Ford with Trump on the phone. I think it was yesterday morning, and they are very concerned,

“We just pushed into them, because at this point, we have nothing to lose,” added Quinn. “We are in a trade war and recognizing that they’re already trying to do damage for our auto industry, specifically, 100,000 jobs that are in the auto industry, and the 500,000 indirect jobs that are tied to the auto industry as well, so we are going to continue pushing back. We don’t want to shut off the power; that isn’t our end goal. The next step would be at about 25% but that seems to be the one thing that is resonating itself at the border, because Donald Trump did run on affordability, and if we have 1.5 million homes that are powered by Ontario electricity, that is a bargaining chip that we need to continue pushing.”

MPP Quinn also spoke of the value in reducing interprovincial trade barriers, but reminded people that it isn’t done simply with the stroke of a pen because of inconsistencies that exist in legislation and standards from one province to the next.

Next to speak was MP Duncan, who agreed with MPP Quinn that interprovincial trade barriers need to be greatly reduced. “…We actually, and it’s not too much of a surprise, but just to reinforce, we do more business with the United States than we do with ourselves. That just tells you that we need to get rid of these interprovincial trade barriers. We need to put incentives for provinces to do that, and to do that quickly so we start reconnecting that East-West aspect.”

He also stated that, as much as President Trump’s actions might be creating havoc with international trade, that it also served as a wakeup call to Canada. “You can’t rely on United States as a stable trading partner and neighbor as much,” said MP Duncan. “I still, every time I say that, can’t believe I have to say that. But that’s the reality of where we’re at, what the next administration will be, what the long-term vision of “America First” will be. I don’t know, but we need to be more prepared and more sovereign and independent, more relying on ourselves being the first thing, but also the same thing too, where it doesn’t hurt to help ourselves. I saw a number this week that if every I want to say, if every Canadian household took $50 a week that goes currently to buy American products or American goods or American services and switch that and bought Canadian specifically in cases where they can, that would add over $30 billion a year to the Canadian economy.

“So, it’s forcing ourselves,” continued MP Duncan, “And again, I think that’s a good thing in the one sense, to go and look every time you’re going to the grocery store, every time you’re heading into Home Hardware, you’re looking and you’re asking, what is Canadian looking at the price? Hopefully it’s comparable. Hopefully it’s less. If it’s a couple bucks more, we’re going to take that and support a Canadian business.”

Chamber President North took a few moments before the meeting broke up to report some coming events, but also that the Chambers of North and South Dundas would be working together in some capacities going forward.

This year, as has been the case for some time, both North and South Dundas held their own trade show each spring. Next year (2026) there will be a joint trade show in Morrisburg and the following year (2027) a joint show will be held in Winchester.

For more information on the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce, you can visit their website at southdundaschamber.ca.