The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) strongly condemns the actions of the U.S. Government in assigning unnecessary and unwarranted tariffs to Canadian goods. Our two countries have had over a century of collaborative, mutually beneficial economic relationships, which has resulted in an integrated, aligned and stable supply chain both Canadian and American consumers could rely on.
As Canada faces new challenges due to the ongoing tariff dispute with the United States, the OSPE reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Canada’s engineering sector, protecting jobs, and advancing homegrown innovation. This is why OSPE has joined the Ontario Business & Trade Leadership Coalition with leading organizations like the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, to advise government leaders on an appropriate response, as well as initiatives to support Ontario’s businesses to ensure that the views and interests of Ontario’s Engineers are represented.
While trade tensions create uncertainty, Ontario’s engineers have always risen to unique challenges with resilience and ingenuity. Canada has the engineering talent, expertise, and natural resources to drive a self-reliant, innovative, and sustainable economy. Now more than ever, we must focus on investing in domestic production, strengthening local supply chains, and prioritizing Canadian solutions to global challenges.
Ontario’s engineering community plays a pivotal role in building the infrastructure, energy systems, and advanced technologies that power our economy. By fostering made in Canada solutions, we can reduce reliance on foreign imports, create high-quality jobs, and enhance economic security. This moment is an opportunity to support Canadian industries, accelerate research and development, and invest in local talent to position Canada as a global leader in engineering excellence.
OSPE calls on policymakers to work closely with engineers and industry leaders to advance an approach that prioritizes domestic production, energy security, and sustainability. We urge investments in manufacturing, renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology that will not only shield Canada from trade volatility but also build long-term economic resilience. We also encourage our leaders to look both internally and internationally to remove any other trade barriers that exist, starting with the irrelevant inter-provincial trade barriers that restrict the flow of goods and talent across this great nation. We should be looking to other stable economies, such as Europe, which have aligned cultures and business practices, to forge new trade and business alliances, to diversify our trade portfolio and find new opportunities to export our goods and world-class engineering services.
Despite the challenges posed by trade disputes, Canada’s engineers are solution-driven, forward-thinking, and committed to public safety, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. OSPE stands ready to support initiatives that empower Canadian engineering talent, strengthen our industries, and build a more self-sufficient and competitive future.
Together, we will turn challenges into opportunities and build a stronger, more resilient Canada.
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