February 28th, 2025, Delta, BC | A recent one-week survey conducted by the Delta Chamber of Commerce, supported by the City of Delta, has revealed significant challenges are expected by local businesses, if proposed US and Canadian counter tariffs are enacted. The survey gathered responses from 59 Delta businesses across 13 industry sectors, including 16 businesses in manufacturing. The survey pool represents about 1,600 employees and over $138 million in revenues.
“The survey highlights the widespread concern across various sectors, with manufacturing businesses particularly vulnerable to the potential impacts of U.S. tariffs,” says Ben Martin, Delta Chamber of Commerce Secretary/Treasurer. “With 63% of responding manufacturers expecting severe impacts from these proposed tariffs, it’s clear that our local economy will be affected.”
“The survey provides a snapshot of some of the significant challenges anticipated by the business community should the proposed tariffs come to fruition,” said [INSERT NAME]. “This is especially true of the manufacturing sector who indicated they are more reliant on U.S. markets for revenues and inputs than other industries, making them more vulnerable” says Muneesh Sharma, City of Delta Community and Business Initiatives Manager.
The survey results will be presented to Delta Council at their March 3, 2025 meeting. The full summary can be read at:
https://issuu.com/corpdelta/docs/survey_responses_report
Key findings include:
- Responding businesses expect to be affected by U.S. (70%) and Canadian (64%) tariffs.
- 59% of responding businesses expect U.S. Tariff could impact their businesses immediately.
- The overwhelming majority of businesses are awaiting more information on the tariffs and most businesses (63%) are preparing to make changes soon.
- Most businesses (53%) anticipate increasing their prices to offset higher costs and many expect demand to decrease as a result including almost all participants from the manufacturing sector.
The proposed tariffs create significant uncertainty. They will raise costs for everyone- individuals, families and businesses alike.
The Delta Chamber of Commerce and the City of Delta will continue to monitor the situation as new information becomes available with a key focus on March 4th and April 1, 2025.
The Delta Chamber of Commerce is a member-based organization of businesses and professional people in the federal electoral district of Delta (City of Delta and Tsawwassen First Nation) which has served to promote its members’ collective commercial interests since 1910. As The Voice of Business in Delta, the Chamber works as a trusted convener and connector to build a thriving local economy through fostering economic development and influencing public policy at all levels of government - all to ensure healthy and prosperous businesses and communities.