Res. No. 667
Resolution affirming New York City’s support for Canada, the contributions of Canadian New Yorkers, and the beneficial relationship between New York City and Canada
By Council Member Restler, Maloney and Riley
Whereas, According to the Council on Foreign Relations, a tariff is a tax imposed on foreign-made goods, paid by the importing business to its home country’s government; and
Whereas, In August 2026, President Trump announced 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, and in response, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs to match; and
Whereas, According to a White House press release, President Trump’s reasoning for the Canadian tariffs is “to hold Canada accountable for its continued discrimination against and unreasonable and unequal treatment of U.S. commerce;” and
Whereas, President Trump’s hostile rhetoric against Canada and the trade war with Canada is detrimental to the relationship between New York City and Canada; and
Whereas, According to Economic and Policy Insights: Imports and Exports in the New York City Metropolitan Area published in March 2025 by New York State Comptroller DiNapoli’s Office, Canada is among New York City’s largest trading partners with 12 percent of total exports and 16 percents of total imports; and
Whereas, New York State imported $21.4 Billion of goods from Canada, and New York State exported $16.5 Billion of goods to Canada in 2025, according to a 2026 press release from the Canadian Consulate General in New York; and
Whereas, The strategic relationship between New York and Canada is not only economic, New York State and Canada have also partnered on energy and infrastructure projects due to their geographic proximity; and
Whereas, In 2026, the Champlain Hudson Power Express was completed-an infrastructure project between New York State and Canada to bring clean energy that can supply 20 percent of New York City’s energy needs; and
Whereas, A deterioration in the United States-Canada relationship could damage future energy infrastructure projects benefiting New York; and
Whereas, President Trump’s haphazard economic actions against Canada have also extended to trivially renaming Lake Ontario, the easternmost Great Lake between New York and Canada, to “Lake America” to further antagonize Canada; and
Whereas, As of 2022, approximately 651,000 Canadians travel to NYC every year, making it the second largest group of tourists, according to NYC Tourism + Conventions; and
Whereas, 60 percent of Canadian adults said that due to recent American trade policies and political statements, they are less likely to travel to the United States, according to a 2025 Longwoods International study of Canadians; and
Whereas, Canadian visitation to New York State fell more than 26 percent, and Canadian spending in New York or New York City fell 28 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, according to Yahoo Travel; and
Whereas, In response to President Trump’s announcement, NYC Tourism + Conventions created the New York City’s Northern Neighborhood Deal program, which incentives Canadians to visit New York City during the summer of 2026, by providing discounts to hotels, restaurants, and museums; and
Whereas, To supplement New York City’s Northern Neighborhood Deal program, Governor Hochul created NY LOVES CANADA promotion to attract Canadian tourists throughout New York State; and
Whereas, Nearly 27,000 Canadians live in New York City and are an important piece of NYC’s immigrant mosaic, according to NYC Population FactFinder; and
Whereas, A cease in the hostile rhetoric and trade practices benefit New York City; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York affirms New York City's support for Canada, the contributions of Canadian New Yorkers, and the beneficial relationship between New York City and Canada.
DF/JEB
LS #26397
10/5/26