CAN-USA 2025 Tariff Strife (split from various pol threads)

[quadrapiper]

Not so easy a task. Home Hardware is a small market operation on purpose, so that they don't have to directly compete with the big boys. City folks will still need to shop at either Rona or HD - both US corporations.

Don't know how universal this is, but there's plenty of HH stores in BC in strip malls and very urban areas, including Davie Street in Vancouver. Davie Village Home Hardware · Vancouver, British Columbia
Their lumber yard offerings, in locations where they have a yard, are much more variable than HD's indoor materials aisles, but seem competitive (and sometimes offer more variety).

They're hanging out in the "neighbourhood hardware store" space, as well as contractor-supply/big box DIY.

If I'm after anything nice, odd, or niche it's off to Windsor Plywood either way. Incredibly glad they, and Lee Valley, are Canadian!

Fastenal is a challenge, though. Does anyone have a favoured equivalent Canadian operation?

 

[Good2Golf]

Fastenal is a challenge, though. Does anyone have a favoured equivalent Canadian operation?

Princess Auto for a try.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/

 

[GK .Dundas]

Good. Like I say. Cut them off.

The marketing board can shift and use their surplus for powdered milk and powdered eggs.

We can distibute that as foriegn aid instead of cash.

 

[lenaitch]

Except that Canadian numbers are a rounding error on US manufacturing capacity... we have little to no leverage here is my guess...


American manufacturers produce approximately 10 million units annually. Notable exceptions were 5.7 million automobiles manufactured in 2009 (due to crisis), and more recently 8.8 million units in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Production peaked during the 1970s and early 2000s at 13–15 million units.

Automotive industry in the United States - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It's not just the location of final assembly but the sourcing of individual components. Interesting London Free Press article shows how integrated the auto manufacturing process is:

Trump tariffs: How one car piece crosses Canada, U.S., Mexico borders 7 times

Scrap from Linamar Corp. crosses Canada, U.S., Mexico borders 7 times until it becomes an automatic transmission that powers a vehicle.

lfpress.com

This article discusses parts as well but it is a little dated as some of the charts lump Canada and US together. Although not discussed, it seems our component manufacturing industry outstrips our percentage of the final vehicle market.

What Do We Know About the Origin of Parts in Vehicles Sold in the U.S. Market? - Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

www.chicagofed.org

 

[MilEME09]

Clearly we need to go nuclear with this trade war, Pornhub must block America. As a Canadian company, it's their patriotic duty, and America will crumble.

 

[JLB50]

Clearly we need to go nuclear with this trade war, Pornhub must block America. As a Canadian company, it's their patriotic duty, and America will crumble.

In which case, American men would be left to their own devices.

 

[Kirkhill]

We're still part of a trading bloc with Mexico, and they can grow a lot of that too. If greenhouse agriculture makes sense, sure, but I'm not sure how much, economically, it does.

It makes sense in Southern Alberta - with natural gas at Medicine Hat rates. Most of our tomatoes and peppers come from Medicine Hat greenhouses.

 

[lenaitch]

Don't know how universal this is, but there's plenty of HH stores in BC in strip malls and very urban areas, including Davie Street in Vancouver. Davie Village Home Hardware · Vancouver, British Columbia
Their lumber yard offerings, in locations where they have a yard, are much more variable than HD's indoor materials aisles, but seem competitive (and sometimes offer more variety).

They're hanging out in the "neighbourhood hardware store" space, as well as contractor-supply/big box DIY.

If I'm after anything nice, odd, or niche it's off to Windsor Plywood either way. Incredibly glad they, and Lee Valley, are Canadian!

Fastenal is a challenge, though. Does anyone have a favoured equivalent Canadian operation?

I've been a fan of HH for years. Where we used to live, we had a small store in a mall and a building centre where all the lumber was either inside or under sheds. I've had good luck with their online system as well.

Where we are now, their building centre is meh, but the other store is right out of the olde tyme general store world. It's cluttered, but the staff somehow knows where everything is and they hold to the 'if we ain't got it - it ain't made' philosophy. It's a combination hardware/farm supply store and they even have a wood stove and pellet stove going in season.

I used to go to Fastenal/HD Supply in Barrie for stainless steel hardware. I can get most of what I need at the aforementioned HH store. I haven't had the need to find a fastener supply house locally. Search 'Canadian owned retail fastener companies' and see what comes up for your area.

 

[PrairieFella]

I think this fits here. A statement for Commonwealth Day from His Majesty. Perhaps I'm biased but there is a certain tone to this statement that I appreciate, I'm wondering if you guys see it too. It's nice to see the King taking a side, no matter how subtle he has to be.

Last October, leaders from across the Commonwealth came together in Samoa to reaffirm their “belief in the value of the Commonwealth as a trusted forum where diverse voices of our member states, the large and the small, the young and the old, come together as one family.” These gatherings are important for helping all Commonwealth nations to tackle the challenges of the day, yet they also play another vital role. In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.

This year, the world reflects on the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War 2. More than one-and-a-half million men and women who served during the War came from across the Commonwealth to support the United Kingdom and its allies. On this special anniversary, we remember with particular pride and everlasting gratitude the untold sacrifice and selflessness of so many from around our Family of Nations who gave their lives in that dreadful conflict. The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today. Leaders recently reiterated the importance of collaboration for peace and human rights, as well as for the restoration of Nature both on land and in the oceans.

As we mark this Commonwealth Day together, there is no more important task than to restore the disrupted harmony of our entire planet. For the sake of our younger generations’ threatened future, I can only hope that the Commonwealth will continue its vital work to restore that harmony.

Charles R.

 

[PrairieFella]

I've been a fan of HH for years. Where we used to live, we had a small store in a mall and a building centre where all the lumber was either inside or under sheds. I've had good luck with their online system as well.

Where we are now, their building centre is meh, but the other store is right out of the olde tyme general store world. It's cluttered, but the staff somehow knows where everything is and they hold to the 'if we ain't got it - it ain't made' philosophy. It's a combination hardware/farm supply store and they even have a wood stove and pellet stove going in season.

I used to go to Fastenal/HD Supply in Barrie for stainless steel hardware. I can get most of what I need at the aforementioned HH store. I haven't had the need to find a fastener supply house locally. Search 'Canadian owned retail fastener companies' and see what comes up for your area.

Does Princess Auto count?

 

[lenaitch]

Does Princess Auto count?

It does; it's based out of Winnipeg. They are good for what they carry. The question was about Fastenal so I assumed fasteners and PA really isn't strong in that area. It all depends on what you are looking for. Busy Bee Tools is Canadian-owned but not a lot of locations.

 

[Good2Golf]

It does; it's based out of Winnipeg. They are good for what they carry. The question was about Fastenal so I assumed fasteners and PA really isn't strong in that area. It all depends on what you are looking for. Busy Bee Tools is Canadian-owned but not a lot of locations.

In Ottawa, the central Princess Auto is right opposite the Busy Bee Tools!

 

[Czech_pivo]

I've asked this question on the LPC election thread and no one has been able to provide a response.

Is anyone aware if Trump has publicly congratulated Carney on his win? Has Trump made any comments about Carney being the new PM (as soon as he's sworn in by the GG)? Has he referred to Carney as 'Governor'?

 

[Remius]

I've asked this question on the LPC election thread and no one has been able to provide a response.

Is anyone aware if Trump has publicly congratulated Carney on his win? Has Trump made any comments about Carney being the new PM (as soon as he's sworn in by the GG)? Has he referred to Carney as 'Governor'?

Has anyone?

I know Ford has. I suspect he’ll get world leader attention once the transition to PM is official.

 

[Navy_Pete]

Does Princess Auto count?

Princess Auto is even more dangerous than Lee Valley; they have a lot of cool stuff at reasonable prices, so why wouldn't I buy a sheet metal press brake, an anvil and a bunch of hydraulics and pneumatics? At least Lee Valley has some sticker shock so I won't drop $60 on a chisel lol.

The other alternative to HD is maybe Rona; they are now owned by a US company, but still operate more or less independently and carry a lot of Canadian products. I'm in the NCR so there is also an independent lumberyard on the Gatineau side by the Casino, but not sure what their minimum is for delivery or how much they carry for plywood etc.

 

[JLB50]

Princess Auto is even more dangerous than Lee Valley; they have a lot of cool stuff at reasonable prices, so why wouldn't I buy a sheet metal press brake, an anvil and a bunch of hydraulics and pneumatics? At least Lee Valley has some sticker shock so I won't drop $60 on a chisel lol.

The other alternative to HD is maybe Rona; they are now owned by a US company, but still operate more or less independently and carry a lot of Canadian products. I'm in the NCR so there is also an independent lumberyard on the Gatineau side by the Casino, but not sure what their minimum is for delivery or how much they carry for plywood etc.

Going into Princess Auto is, for me, almost like being a kid in a candy shop.

 

[foresterab]

We're still part of a trading bloc with Mexico, and they can grow a lot of that too. If greenhouse agriculture makes sense, sure, but I'm not sure how much, economically, it does.

Growing up greenhouses were common for basic vegetable gardens to gain the extra month of growing season needed. But it was always a "nice to have".

Then I saw what was happening in southern ontario and the industrial scale production that mostly was going to Hienz.

Exploring Kingsville & Leamington: Ontario's Agricultural Gems

Nestled in the heart of Essex County, Kingsville and Leamington are renowned for their vibrant agricultural landscape, particularly their flourishing greenhouse industry. Here’s a closer look at what makes this area so special and known as Ontario's Agricultural Gems: GREENHOUSE CAPITAL OF...

www.thegrove.rocks

Huge volumes of fresh produce going straight to canned goods - usually - in high density production. No reason this couldn't be done in other portions of the country either (Vancouver, Medicine Hat, Annapolis Valley NB?) to help offset international imports.

I've also never looked at greenhouses the same since seeing those industrial scale ones.

There are also a number of First Nation related greenhouse projects underway, especially in BC, under various alternative power methods (Co-Gen, Geothermal, solar). Apparently it's a mix of provincial and federal initiatives around "Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty (IFS) Grant"

First Nations Funding for Greenhouses in BC: How to Get a Greenhouse Through the Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty Grant

Find out how to get First Nations funding for greenhouses and apply for the Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty Grant today!

www.sliptube.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Growing up greenhouses were common for basic vegetable gardens to gain the extra month of growing season needed. But it was always a "nice to have".

Then I saw what was happening in southern ontario and the industrial scale production that mostly was going to Hienz.

Exploring Kingsville & Leamington: Ontario's Agricultural Gems

Nestled in the heart of Essex County, Kingsville and Leamington are renowned for their vibrant agricultural landscape, particularly their flourishing greenhouse industry. Here’s a closer look at what makes this area so special and known as Ontario's Agricultural Gems: GREENHOUSE CAPITAL OF...

www.thegrove.rocks

Huge volumes of fresh produce going straight to canned goods - usually - in high density production. No reason this couldn't be done in other portions of the country either (Vancouver, Medicine Hat, Annapolis Valley NB?) to help offset international imports.

I've also never looked at greenhouses the same since seeing those industrial scale ones.

There are also a number of First Nation related greenhouse projects underway, especially in BC, under various alternative power methods (Co-Gen, Geothermal, solar). Apparently it's a mix of provincial and federal initiatives around "Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty (IFS) Grant"

First Nations Funding for Greenhouses in BC: How to Get a Greenhouse Through the Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty Grant

Find out how to get First Nations funding for greenhouses and apply for the Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty Grant today!

www.sliptube.com

A good chunk of Medicine Hat is already glassed over and the concept is spreading. It has also spread to the Lower Mainland market gardens.

It only makes sense if energy (and carbon) costs are low and you are producing high value crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and, of course, cannabis. Some of the Medicine Hat greenhouses have experimented with raising fish concurrently as most of the production is soil free hydroponics.

 

[brihard]

Thanks gents. This is something I know practically nothing about.

 

[MilEME09]

There's even an operation near Vancouver that grows kiwi in a green house. North of calgary is a greenhouse that does strawberries, they got a grant last year to double their facility to increase output.