Trade war driving up costs for emergency equipment for northern Ontario First Nation – CBC

Apr 24, 2025

‘We have and try to do the best with what we what we have,’ says Chief Brent Niganobe

A First Nation in northern Ontario says it’s being priced out of critical emergency and policing equipment as trade tensions between Canada and the United States drive up costs.

Mississauga First Nation, located along the north shore of Lake Huron, says federal grant programs haven’t kept pace with inflation or global tariffs — forcing the community to make tough budget decisions when trying to invest in emergency services.

The cost of specialized equipment manufactured in the U.S., such as drones for search and rescue and protective gear for police and firefighters, has significantly increased due to the trade war, according to Chief Brent Niganobe.