The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) has launched a new survey to identify water sector products that are imported from the U.S. and whether there are challenges to finding Canadian alternatives, in light of tariffs and the ongoing trade war.
The CWWA wants municipalities and utilities to share any newly implemented policies that require or give preference to Canadian products, as well as any policies that recognize the effect of tariffs in infrastructure bidding processes.
While any identifying specifics in the responses will remain confidential, the association says it will attempt to coordinate with the federal government and the Canadian private sector to find solutions to the challenges posed by tariffs.
“We hope to share some best practices from the responses we receive,” CWWA Executive Director Robert Haller wrote in an email to members, which includes a custom link to the survey.
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In terms of which products are presently purchased from the U.S., the survey asks respondents to consider: pipes and underground infrastructure; chemicals; pumps; vehicles; and treatment equipment.
The CWWA recently co-signed a letter from water associations across Canada asking that the water and wastewater sector be exempted from the trade war.
Several associations are also supporting the survey, including the BC Water & Waste Association, Western Canada Water, the Water Environment Association of Ontario, Atlantic Canada Water & Wastewater Association, Réseau Environnement, and the Ontario Water Works Association.
The smart thing to do is to not impose tariffs on process equipment for water and wastewater applications in Canada. The vast majority of all equipment in these applications comes from the USA. Furthermore, the projects that are already budgeted-for, and shovel-ready will face enormous delays and cost overruns if the Canadian government includes these products in their countervailing duties.
All this emotional reaction to the US tariffs will only cost Canadians more. Let’s not cut our noses off to spite our faces.