‘From my cold, dead hands’: Brampton mayor, Councillors react to Donald Trump’s tariff and 51st state threats

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Councillors Rowena Santos and Michael Palleschi have denounced Trump’s threats of a tariff war and claims about making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Santos, collaborating with Whitby Councillor Chris Leahy, launched a targeted ad campaign to counter proposed tariffs and highlight economic interdependence. Brown and Palleschi emphasized Canada’s sovereignty and warned against the economic harm a tariff war would cause both nations. Santos declared her unwavering pride in being Canadian and pledged to defend local industries and jobs at all costs.