Local governments across southern Vancouver Island are taking a balanced approach to the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump鈥檚 consistently inconsistent plan to levy import tariffs against Canada.

Victoria most recently joined the ranks of those considering changes to policy with Coun. Dave Thompson鈥檚 Feb. 13 motion to have staff explore options and implications of the city 鈥渁ddressing the Trump trade war and U.S. oligarch interference with elections.鈥�

He suggested staff look at adjusting policies where possible to avoid purchasing U.S. goods and services, particularly from red states; and moving to other social media platforms and shutting down the city鈥檚 X/Twitter account.

He also asked staff to continue 鈥渢o identify opportunities to diversify and strengthen our economy, particularly small businesses and cooperating on the above and other strategies with other levels of government and other partners as opportunities allow.鈥�

Thompson referenced that CRD is considering leaving X, and View Royal deactivated its X account earlier this year 鈥� shifting to Bluesky instead. The town continues to post important information on its website and Facebook pages.

That move would be slower for the City of Victoria. Staff note their success on X, with 66,000 followers, means a gradual shift might be necessary, as it remains a key tool for resident engagement and alerts.

鈥淥ur plan was already to jettison our X account,鈥� director of communications Sheldon Johnson told council, appreciative of the open timeline. Victoria鈥檚 plan is to open other social media accounts and gather followers before making a move, as X remains an effective tool for information sharing.

Coun. Jeremy Caradonna called the platform 鈥渁 toxic hellscape鈥� that posed a good argument for banning across the country as a platform for hostile propaganda.

However, it鈥檚 also a critical tool in emergency planning.

Coun. Matt Dell suggested the city keep its X account as an option, with a pinned post telling folks where to find day-to-day communications. 鈥�(That way) we鈥檙e not throwing out the tool but we鈥檙e not agreeing with this platform.鈥�

On the procurement piece of the motion, both Couns. Chris Coleman and Susan Kim each noted that it鈥檚 key to remember leadership in the U.S., while elected, doesn鈥檛 reflect the relationship between average citizens. There are friends across the strait who need Canadians as friends and allies, Coleman noted.

鈥淢y concern is we鈥檙e being inadvertently punitive to the American people,鈥� Kim added.

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, a member of the growing Border Mayors Alliance, suggested it鈥檚 key to balance those valuable relationships while asserting 鈥渙ur unwavering belief in the validity of our country.鈥�

The newly formed alliance was launched by Windsor, Ont. Mayor Drew Dilkens to protect local economies and advocate for the interests of communities along the Canada-U.S. border. 

Speaking to his motion, Thompson referenced the Federation of Canadian Municipalities鈥檚 condemnation of tariffs on Canadian products, warning of severe consequences on local economies, and stance that local governments have an important role to play.

鈥淢unicipalities are the backbone of the Canadian economy and the engine that drives growth, productivity and jobs,鈥� president Rebecca Bligh said in a Feb. 1 statement. 鈥淭ariffs put local businesses, workers, and supply chains at risk. Any response to the actions of the U.S. administration must be coordinated across all orders of government, as municipalities play a crucial role on Team Canada.鈥�

Saanich and Central Saanich councils have tasked staff with looking at each district鈥檚 procurement process and the impact of prioritizing Canadian-made products and services 鈥渄uring the trade dispute鈥� with the U.S.

During that council鈥檚 Feb. 3 meeting, Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson appealed for the community to present a united front and pledged to ensure "where possible" the city procures products made in Canada or other tariff-affected countries.

The city also plans to help promote affected local businesses through targeted awareness campaigns. 鈥淪hovel-ready projects" will also be expedited by the city once its 2025 budget is approved to help "maintain economic activity in Langford.鈥�

Other municipalities in the Capital Region are set to consider similar motions and have been vocal in the shop local, buy local movements 鈥�  some adding Canadian-made lists to their websites.

鈥淎mending our purchasing policy could start perhaps with minor wording changes and could be done in phases,鈥� Thompson noted for Victoria. 鈥淭here isn鈥檛 a need for it to be a big deal or a fast deal.鈥�

- with files from Ben Fenlon and Harry Corro