For months United States President Donald Trump has been discussing tariffs for Canada.
As we approach the month of April, we could see retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs yet again, causing anxiety for some Canadians.
Trump has already imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule reassured residents to not be nervous and to focus on the local level.
"We've already been preparing well for this. Our administration set up a tariff rapid results task force to look at all the challenges we may be facing to come up with strategies to soften the impact."
In preparation for the tariffs, the town has set up a shop local campaign aimed at getting more people through the doors of Strathmore businesses.
"We've come up with another shop local campaign which we approved at our February council meeting of this year and it's a campaign that's going to highlight all the amazing businesses here in Strathmore," said Fule.
The town is also looking at the products that various town departments buy from the United States and are seeing if the price will affect any of their capital projects.
The municipality is exploring different suppliers for goods needed for these capital projects.
If tariffs are implemented that could mean a rise in taxes for Strathmore residents but as Fule explained, residents don't have to worry about that right now.
"I think right now we've approved and finalized our budget, so we're okay for that right now. It may impact next year's budget if the prices go up for everything. But we always strive to keep our tax rate low. I think the tariffs might affect us in the 2026 budget."
Strathmore recently saw a property tax increase of 3.62 per cent.
"We came up with a 3.62 property tax increase this year. The problem is the province has greatly increased the education portion that the town has to collect for the province," Fule told StrathmoreNow.
With the 45th Canadian federal election unfolding, one of the top issues for residents is how the country will handle the tariffs.
"I think on a federal level; people are really concerned about tariffs. I think on a local level, everyone including me is concerned with how much we have to pay either monthly through our tax installment program or annually if you pay your taxes in one bulk payment," added Fule.
"We're all concerned about how the property tax affects us," he said.
Trump has said he plans to impose addtional tariffs on Canadians on April 2.