N.L. launches 'buy local' campaign with looming U.S. tariffs delayed 30 days
A new buy local logo will appear in stores this week
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says now is the time to focus on buying products made within the province and from across Canada.
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched a "buy local" campaign on Tuesday, moving ahead with a local-first strategy despite the 30-day freeze on U.S. tariffs.
Those tariffs were slated to begin on Tuesday, but U.S. President Trump hit pause after Prime Minster Justin Trudeau committed to improve border security Monday afternoon.
Furey, in a news conference in St. John's on Tuesday, told reporters that Canada did not "bend the knee" or "kiss the ring" of Trump, but the country's premiers aren't breathing a complete sigh of relief.
"There was an intentional conflation of the border issue and the tariff issue, and it's not a coincidence," he said.
"We shouldn't let this moment of disruption slip through our fingers."
The "buy local" campaign is designed to show consumers where their products are produced, whether that be in Newfoundland and Labrador or across Canada. Signs and logos will be placed in grocery and convenience stores.
The provincial government wants shoppers to check where products are from before purchasing.
Concerned about fishery
PC Leader Tony Wakeham said the province should always remind consumers of the advantages of buying local.
"I'm all in favour of buying locally, I don't think it should just happen because we find ourselves in a tariff crisis," he said.
In response to the 30-day pause on tariffs, Wakeham said the government has to get its act together — specifically in addressing the fishery.
"This is a pause. Do not think things are going away anytime soon," he said.
"Harvesters are getting ready to go out and catch crab in the next six weeks. Six weeks from now, they will be on the water. We want our harvesters being able to catch the crab and our plant workers being in the plants processing it."
Furey takes a swing at PCs
Newfoundland and Labrador's NDP was involved in the creation of the campaign.
Furey says the opposition PCs were uninvolved because the party didn't reach out and can't hold a "mature adult conversation."
"We've shown the ability to have mature adult conversations, one that doesn't employ Trump-style behaviours with memes and silly slogans," Furey said.
"Anytime there's someone willing to have adult conversation, a mature conversation and dialogue, I am happy to entertain."
Wakeham fired back, pointing to Furey's recent trip to Trump's inauguration.
"The reality of this is, I have written this government on many occasions, most recently in relation to the [Churchill Falls] MOU with an opportunity for improvements and how the process can be handled differently," he said.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn praised Urban Market — a store in St. John's where the campaign was launched — and the buy local initiative.
WATCH | The premier wants you to check the product label and prioritize local retailers:
"When we talk about buying local, I always think, in many cases, what we're doing is supporting our neighbours, probably supporting family, supporting friends," Dinn said.
Going forward, Dinn said there needs to be an effort to buy local and to protect Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada from threats made by President Trump.
"Twenty-four hours ago, we thought we were going to have tariffs on us. Now, we're not. We got a month's reprieve," said Dinn.
"As a commentator said, that is a month without paying tariffs, but that's a month more to prepare and to develop some plans just in case."
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With files from Abby Cole