Avoiding US goods and services – from tech to whisky to air travel – has forced many to find a new way of living
This week the US imposed 50% tariffs on US$20bn (£15bn) of Canadian goods, and Mark Carney, the country’s prime minister, has vowed to match them “dollar for dollar” after the collapse of trade talks between the two countries last weekend. Donald Trump retaliated on Thursday by ordering the federal government to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Such actions have added fuel to a widespread boycott of US products and services by Canadians that began early last year in response to the president’s trade war and threats to annex his northern neighbour.
More than 3,500 people from across Canada shared with the Guardian via an online callout how they have made changes to their lives in response to the US administration’s political and economic stance. Many expressed deep anger and sadness, but remained resolute that this was now a new way of living.
It has to do with rail connections and port capacities. If stuff comes in by ports, even air freight, rail hubs in the Eastern US are more central.
Otherwise it has to come into the port of Montreal, inland ports beyond the Seaway don’t accommodate every ship size and are lower volume.
In Ontario, I believe it’ll be more likely for products to come into Canada through both Montreal and Eastern US ports. Whereas in Quebec it’s usually not the case. New York and Montreal are similar distances to Toronto by rail.
It’s probably something you have to consider via carriers.