Customs duties: Mélanie Joly answers questions from District Central businesses

19 March 2025 Press releases

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Economic Round Table with Mélanie Joly - A strategic exchange for the future

On Friday, March 7, Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with SDC District Central, brought together local economic players for a crucial discussion on current economic issues, particularly in the context of trade relations between Canada and the United States. The round table was particularly relevant to the challenges facing businesses in the current socio-political climate.

District Central businesses present at the event: Conceptions Eliza Faulkner, Yves Martin Underwear, Canadawide Fruits, Simplex Tool Rental, Terra Café et Thé, Les Spiritueux Iberville, Nanogrande, Matelas Sélection, Maison Marie Saint Pierre, CGS Québec Inc and Louvia Uniforms.

Thank you to the participating businesses for sharing their challenges, concerns and potential solutions with MNA Mélanie Joly, the SDC District Central, and other District Central companies. Your contribution enriched this essential exchange for our collective future!

To find out more about the meeting and the topics discussed, read our article >>.

More information on tariffs, from Mélanie Joly's office >>.

Highlights : Mélanie Joly meets with Central District businesses

Key take-aways from the meeting between Mélanie Joly, MP for Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and 11 District Central businesses.

1- To avoid having to pay 25% customs duties until April 2 - while hoping that this threat will be lifted by then - take steps to export under the Canada-United States-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA).

2-Check whether the products you import from the United States are subject to the retaliatory customs duties imposed by Canada since March 5 and March 13. If there are any problems, for example if you can't source from outside the U.S., find out if you can claim a duty refund.

3-Reduce your dependence on the U.S. market for exports by taking a look at the various free trade agreements that Canada has signed around the world.

4-Keep an eye out for assistance announced by the Canadian government, including the $5 billion program to help exporting companies face current economic challenges, and the expansion of employment insurance conditions to avoid layoffs.