Strengthening federal support for businesses affected by Canada-U.S. trade disruption
September 11, 2026
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, MP Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Government of Canada
RE: Strengthening federal support for businesses affected by Canada-U.S. trade disruption
Dear Minister Joly,
On behalf of Canada’s provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, we are writing regarding the significant and growing economic impacts of ongoing Canada-U.S. trade disruption on businesses, workers, and communities across the country.
Together, our organizations represent 600 local chambers of commerce and 200,000 businesses in every region of Canada. We hear directly from employers, exporters, manufacturers, and community leaders who are navigating U.S. tariffs, Canadian countermeasures, supply chain disruption, and persistent uncertainty. Their message is clear: businesses need timely relief, practical guidance, and a coordinated path forward.
We appreciate your leadership on the federal government’s recent tariff relief measures and recognize the important role of regional development agencies in supporting affected businesses — both in mitigating the impact of U.S. tariffs and repositioning their businesses for resilience and growth.
As these programs evolve, we see a clear opportunity to strengthen their reach, responsiveness, and impact through closer collaboration between regional development agencies and chambers in each province and region.
Chambers are uniquely positioned to help government identify emerging pressures, gather real-time regional and sectoral intelligence, and ensure support measures reflect on-the-ground business realities. Recent discussions across our network have reinforced the urgent need for clear information, practical support, and stronger two-way channels between government and the business community.
To strengthen the federal response and improve outcomes for affected businesses, we recommend that the Government of Canada:
• Establish an advisory table that includes chambers of commerce from every region, focused on tariff impacts, business conditions, and mitigation measures;
• Task Regional Development Agencies with engaging provincial chambers in the design, promotion, delivery and evaluation of business support programs related to tariffs, trade disruption and diversification; and
• Leverage chambers as trusted partners to share timely information with employers and provide real-time regional and sector-specific business intelligence to government.
We stand ready to support the government’s efforts to help businesses manage this period of uncertainty, protect jobs, and strengthen local economies.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss how a more formal partnership between Regional Development Agencies and provincial chambers can help ensure federal support reaches the businesses and communities that need it most.
Sincerely,
Daniel Tisch
President & CEO
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Véronique Proulx
Présidente-directrice générale
Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
Rhonda Tulk-Lane
President & CEO
Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
Elisabeth Saftiuk
Acting President & CEO
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
Jen Riley
President & CEO
British Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Shauna Feth
President & CEO
Alberta Chambers of Commerce
Prabha Ramaswamy
CEO
Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
Rowena House
Executive Director
Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce
CC:
Hon. Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Minister responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
Hon. Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Hon. Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Candace Laing, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce