Intended Consequences

Tariffs and Economic Development: Threats, Opportunities and Strategies

Intended Consequences

Show Notes

The 100th episode of Intended Consequences explores the impacts of the U.S. tariffs on economic development in Canada. Many Canadian communities are vulnerable to tariffs with Saint John (NB), Calgary and Windsor topping the list according to the U.S. Tariff Exposure Index developed by the Business Data Lab at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The Director of the Economic Development Program at the University of Waterloo, Brock Dickinson, joins the podcast to discuss how economic development is impacted by tariffs and what it could mean for sectors like manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. He shares helpful strategies local economic development officers can deploy to support companies and make their communities more resilient.

More from Intended Consequences

Oct 21, 2026

The countdown to Ontario's municipal elections continues as we discuss the third topic in our Municipal Ballot Box Basics series: community safety. No matter where they live, people want to feel safe in their communities and know that they can access emergency services when needed. Our guest Charles Bordeleau, Senior Advisor at StrategyCorp, discusses why community safety is an important issue for communities across Ontario. He notes that municipalities have direct jurisdiction over core safety services. He highlights how these services can work together in a holistic and preventative approach to community safety that goes beyond just traditional law enforcement. Our guest also explains why community safety directly relates to economic vitality and neighbourhood livability.

Oct 21, 2026

Les élections municipales en Ontario battent leur plein et le jour du vote approche à grands pas. Plusieurs thèmes tels que les infrastructures, le logement et le développement économique ont été abordés par les candidats municipaux à travers la province. La sécurité communautaire est un autre sujet de grande importance au niveau municipal en raison des répercussions directes sur l'ensemble de la population. Peu importe où ils vivent, les gens veulent se sentir en sécurité et avoir accès aux services d'urgence dont ils ont besoin. Notre invité Charles Bordeleau, conseiller principal à StrategyCorp, nous explique pourquoi la sécurité communauté est un thème important des élections municipales ontariennes.

Oct 14, 2026

In the second episode of our podcast series on the Ontario municipal elections, we explore why housing is a major theme for candidates and voters. Our guest Michelle German, Senior Advisor at StrategyCorp, argues that housing might be the most important issue in this year's municipal elections as individuals have never been more challenged to find the right kind of housing. She highlights how specific local realities are shaping what voters are looking for and, ultimately, the housing promises of municipal candidates across the province.

Oct 8, 2026

The Ontario municipal elections are in full swing. In this new podcast series, StrategyCorp's Institute explores the themes that are shaping the elections across the province. Ed Archer, Vice President at StrategyCorp, joins the podcast to talk about why infrastructure is a crucial topic in this year's municipal elections. He explains how local realities and other municipal priorities shape discussions on infrastructure.

Sep 18, 2026

After a summer marked by geopolitical developments, byelections, and the threat of separatism in Alberta and Quebec, Parliament returns for what promises to be an eventful fall in Canadian politics. StrategyCorp's Rebecca Caldwell, Garry Keller, and Nathan Cullen join the podcast to discuss current dynamics and priorities in government. They highlight what may be next for the Conservatives and the NDP as both parties look to cautiously navigate the "Team Canada" moment we are in amid the tension with the United States and Donald Trump. Our panelists also explain how federal politics will be shaped by provincial dynamics this fall.

See all episodes →