On March 26, Niagara Regional Council Chair Jim Bradley delivered his annual State of the Region address. The speech was presented at a new period of turbulence for the local economy as U.S. President Donald Trump has been enacting tariffs on Canadian exports.
The address was attended by officials from various levels of Canadian government, as well as special international guests, including Robert Restaino, Mayor of Niagara Falls, New York, and Patrick Vaniel, the Belgian Ambassador to Canada.
The trade war between Canada and the United States was a major focus.
“I typically start my State of the Region address by giving an update on Niagara’s economy,” Bradley said. “This year, it would be impossible to do so without speaking briefly at least of the economic uncertainty around international trade.”
Bradley said that he believes the uncertainty wreaked by the continuous threat of tariffs, month-by-month, is indicative of Trump’s desire to “sow division and to drive a wedge between allies and break apart long-standing relationships.”
The Regional Chair emphasized the importance of standing up for Canada but also seeking to preserve the rare and rich relationship between Canadians and Americans, which he says has been marked by “civility, goodwill, and mutual respect.”
“Rather than throwing away one of the longest lasting economic alliances in all of history we must instead do what we can to protect it,” he argued. “We must have faith that the strong ties that have endured countless trials over a century and more will survive President Donald Trump.”
Bradley applauded collaborative efforts with public and private sector partners on both sides of the border which are being undertaken to safeguard economic relationships and interests.
He also announced a support local business campaign, through which he said local residents could tangibly act on their “patriotism” by supporting the local economy.
Bradley celebrated that Niagara has become a prime location for international investments. He mentioned numerous projects, such as the innovative $1.6 billion Asahi Kasei lithium-ion battery separator plant, as well as the new $200 million Jungbunzlauer xanthan gum facility. Both establishments are being constructed in Port Colborne and are slated to begin operations in the next one to two years.
The address concluded on a positive note, as Bradley expressed optimism that the Region would be able to persevere through the precarity of the current economic context.
Since becoming Niagara Regional Chair in 2018, Bradley has contended with a myriad of crises, including the local COVID-19 response, the impact of post-pandemic inflation, and most recently, the Canada-US Trade War.
The State of the Region address can be viewed in its entirety at the following link: State of the Region 2025.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
