Actions While Navigating Uncertainty
Tariff Implications, Economic Barriers, and a Federal Election
The past month has continued to feature events that clearly show that we are living through an era of uncertainty. The announcement of reciprocal tariffs by the United States on April 2nd, excluding Canada from the minimum baseline tariff, brought mixed reactions. While Canada avoided the 10% baseline tariff, the continuation of a 25% tariff on certain goods and the impending 25% tariff on foreign-made automobiles posed significant challenges.
To add to the impact and importance of these last weeks, the 2025 Canadian federal election officially commenced on March 23rd and with it a campaign period ending on election day, April 28 elect members of the House of Commons to the 45th Canadian Parliament.
Navigating a course amongst the economic turbulence and the upcoming 2025 federal election, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce has worked to demonstrate proactive steps exemplifying our shared resolve towards future growth. Through a series of impactful events and initiatives, the chamber has reinforced its commitment to fostering collaboration, supporting local businesses and organizations while advocating for policies that drive economic growth and community prosperity.
Strengthening Canada-US Relations: Virtual Town Hall
On April 8th, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, alongside the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce and the Bangor Chamber of Commerce, hosted a virtual town hall focused on enhancing Canada-US relations. Featured speakers, including Minister Luke Randall, Deputy Minister Traci Simmons (CEO, OpportunitiesNB) and Wade Merritt, President of the Maine International Trade Centre, shared insights on mutual economic value and collaboration. This event underscored the importance of dialogue in navigating geopolitical shifts and demonstrated attendees’ commitment to strengthening Canada-US relations through elevating the conversation, focused on the value and contributions of both nations.
Atlantic Interprovincial Trade: Capital City Chambers Round Table
On April 3rd the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and the St. John’s Board of Trade hosted a roundtable discussion. This effort of the chambers from Atlantic Canada’s capital cities, marked a significant step forward as multiple parties offered support and personal experience towards eliminating interprovincial trade barriers. This initiative brought together industry representatives from sectors such as construction, transportation and shipping, post-secondary education, and alcohol production to identify best practices in hopes of effectively and thoughtfully accelerating recent provincial efforts to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. By fostering collaboration across provincial lines, the chambers are working to identify and prioritize existing barriers to trade, such as inconsistent regulations and administrative inefficiencies.
One key area discussed was the harmonization of licensing requirements, which can streamline business operations and reduce costs. Another priority was improving transportation networks to enhance the flow of goods and services within Atlantic Canada. By leveraging consultation, best practices, and shared resources, the chambers aim to transform Atlantic Canada into a model of interprovincial economic integration, boosting regional productivity, competitiveness, and overall prosperity.
With the April 16th announcement of New Brunswick and Ontario’s memorandum of understanding on free trade and labour mobility, our continued efforts will work to identify efficient regulations and practices to allow for free market cooperation, increased private investment and growth opportunities for New Brunswick businesses.
Advocating for Modernization: Ridesharing Regulation Harmonization
New Brunswick’s ridesharing regulations remain fragmented and outdated, creating barriers for both consumers and service providers. Recognizing the opportunity for improvement, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce has called for a province-wide ridesharing framework to modernize the transportation landscape. A unified framework would reduce regulatory hurdles for ridesharing companies, enabling them to expand their services across the province more effectively. This could lead to improved mobility options for residents, greater convenience for tourists, and enhanced connectivity between urban and rural areas. New Brunswick has an opportunity to modernize its transportation landscape by implementing a province-wide ridesharing framework similar to Newfoundland and Labrador. At a time when provincial leaders are supporting a movement towards interprovincial cooperation, and harmonization of regulations, this area presents as an easy direction within New Brunswick to keep momentum going and better our province’s attractiveness for private business investment.
Empowering Indigenous Entrepreneurs: Indigenous Business Forum
The Chamber’s partnership with JEDI for the 3rd annual Indigenous Business Forum on March 26th showcased the entrepreneurial spirit within Indigenous communities. The 2025 Indigenous Business Forum has once again demonstrated its significance as a platform for fostering connections, raising awareness, and exploring opportunities for collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous entities. The diverse panels and discussions offered valuable insights into the knowledge industry, future technologies, energy partnerships, and entrepreneurship. By continuing to support and promote these initiatives, the forum contributes to the creation of a more innovative and sustainable future for all.
Informing Voters: Federal Election Candidate Discussion Forum
In a time of economic and political uncertainty, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce recognizes the importance of civic engagement and voter education. To address this, the Chamber partnered with the University of New Brunswick and Ignite to host a one-day Federal Election Candidate Discussion Forum on April 15th.
This event brought together candidates from Fredericton-Oromocto’s electoral district, including Pam Allen-Leblanc (Green Party of Canada), Brian Macdonald (Conservative Party of Canada), David Myles (Liberal Party of Canada), and Nicki Lyons-MacFarlane (New Democratic Party). The format provided a platform for open, civil discourse where candidates could articulate their positions on key issues. Topics of discussion spanned housing, healthcare, infrastructure projects, our knowledge industry, and economic sustainability—areas critical to Fredericton’s growth and prosperity.
By organizing this forum, the chamber sought to emphasize the importance of respectful communication and factual presentations as vital components of the electoral process. This forum not only highlighted Fredericton’s collective strength in fostering dialogue but also showcased the chamber’s commitment to supporting informed decision-making during a critical moment in Canada’s political landscape.
Promoting Urban Growth Centres: Joint Urban Questionnaire
Also contributing to the dissemination of information to our electorate, while elevating the issues pertinent to New Brunswick, the urban chambers of commerce of New Brunswick: Fredericton, Greater Moncton, and the Saint John Region, have distributed a joint questionnaire to the candidates within our collective ridings. The unifying position of this document is to explore issue areas vital for a growth agenda to achieve competitive livability in New Brunswick. By investing in urban centers as hubs of economic activity and social services, New Brunswick can attract private sector investment and drive long-term development. This vision aligns with the Chamber’s focus on leveraging local strengths to overcome global challenges. Answers submitted to these questionnaires will be posted on our website.
Unity and Civic Engagement in the Face of Adversity
The Chamber’s initiatives demonstrate the power of collaboration and shared strengths. By fostering dialogue, advocating for modernization, and supporting local businesses, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce continues to play a pivotal role in navigating uncertainty and shaping a prosperous future for the community. As I noted in my closing speech at the recent election discussion forum, whatever the course forward entails, we must work to elevate our strengths and work constructively in our disagreements. In response to economic attacks upon our country, identified areas of cooperation and agreement have been demonstrated as proactive and necessary, and I hope we can continue forward with a motivation to engage, to withstand the headwinds, by first identifying and recognizing our shared strengths and our value. With that in mind, and as we face those headwinds together, I encourage everyone to engage in this important election and vote on April 28th.