February 11, 2025 | CBC News via UVic News
In the face of escalating U.S. tariff threats, municipalities across British Columbia are rallying together to safeguard their local economies according to a new article. This “Team Canada” approach has seen Vancouver city councillors take proactive measures to boost the local economy and reduce reliance on U.S. imports. By establishing an internal roundtable, considering temporary fee reductions, and exploring competitive advantages for businesses, Vancouver is demonstrating resilience and adaptability in these challenging times. This motion aligns with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s call for consumers to “choose Canada,” emphasizing a collective effort to support homegrown industries.
Dr. Tamara Krawchenko, an Associate Professor in Public Administration at the University of Victoria, recognizes Vancouver as a pioneer in progressive procurement policies. She suggests that the city’s recent motion could inspire other local governments to follow suit. Krawchenko highlights that British Columbia stands out in its commitment to sustainability and local supply chains at the municipal level, a trend not uniformly observed across Canada.
Dr. Krawchenko’s expertise in regional development, sustainability transitions, and public policy makes her research invaluable in understanding how municipal tariffs impact local economies and communities. Her work often focuses on place-based research, examining the unique assets, challenges, and opportunities of specific regions. This approach can help policymakers design more effective and equitable tariff structures that support sustainable development and address regional disparities.
In addition to her teaching work, Krawchenko serves as the Associate Director of UVic’s Institute for Integrated Energy Systems and as a Strategic Research Area Lead for the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation Initiative. Further, She serves as an expert panelist on the Clean Growth Panel of the Canadian Climate Institute, is affiliated with the Transition Accelerator’s Center for Net-Zero Industrial Policy, and participates in the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Working Group on Tracking Progress for a Just Transition. She is also a core team member of the Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders program and the Chair of the Local Governance Hub.
To read more of Dr. Krawchenko’s research, check out her profile on our institutional repository, UVicSpace.
