US-Canada Tariff Tensions: Insights from Canadian Geospatial Industry Leaders
The escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, spurred by proposed tariffs, have sparked widespread concern across industries. For Canada’s geospatial and Earth Observation sectors, the implications are particularly significant, given their deep integration with U.S. technology, markets, and collaborations. To understand the potential impact and identify strategies for navigating this challenging landscape, we spoke with leading voices from Canada’s geospatial community. Here’s what they had to say.
Will Cadell, CEO and Founder, Sparkgeo
“No matter what the outcome of the negotiations this and coming weeks, the ensuing chaos is a reminder that we need to think more locally and more globally. We need to be buying Canadian products and services where possible. Canada is full of amazing geospatial expertise; let’s make sure we put that to work first. Meanwhile, as Canadian businesses, we need to think about broadening our market horizons beyond the US. We must make market connections in Europe, the UK, APAC and MENA. We’ve been able to rely on NAFTA and USMCA for 30 years, but perhaps we have sat on these laurels for too long. I don’t think we should do less US business, just more additional business elsewhere; growing into this challenge rather than shrinking from it. As our future looks increasingly uncertain, diversity in industry, currency, supply chains, and operations will deliver a more resilient Canadian economy.”
Claudia Cozzitorto, CEO, buildingSMART Canada
“The trade war has strained Canada-U.S. relations, leaving long-term repercussions in its wake. However, it has also ignited a rare but powerful sense of unity among Canadians. Traditionally modest and humble, we are now pushing back and standing together– an overdue but necessary shift. Regardless of the outcome, our path forward must prioritize supporting Canadian businesses at every opportunity. Our focus should return to fostering innovation within Canada, strengthening our industries, and advancing our built environment for the benefit of future generations.
Bilyana Anicic, ,
Bilyana Anicic, “Trade wars, whether between neighboring nations like the U.S. and Canada or global superpowers, ultimately hurt both sides. While tariffs and policies may seem like immediate solutions, they often undermine long-standing partnerships, disrupt supply chains, and increase costs for consumers. True progress comes through negotiation, not confrontation. In the face of trade tensions, the best way to support local economies is simple: buy Canadian, and strengthen homegrown industries.”
Chris North, Principal, 43 North GIS Consulting
“Tariffs are not a solution to anything, but their mere possibility should remind us of a larger truth: an industry (indeed an economy) too dependent on a single market is vulnerable to sudden change. The strength of Canada’s geomatics sector lies in its adaptability, innovation, and global relevance. Rather than waiting to see how trade policies unfold, we should use this moment to diversify — exploring new markets, expanding our partnerships, and applying our expertise in new ways. Diversification shouldn’t be a simplistic rejection of U.S. products or partnerships with U.S. companies. Instead, it should be about resilience — ensuring that no single approach, offering, or sector holds an imbalanced influence over our industry. In economics, as in natural ecosystems, monocultures are risky. Now is the time to branch out, strengthen our foundations, and ensure our industry thrives, no matter what comes next.”
Prashant J. Shukle, Board Chair, OGC, and former Director General, CCMEO
“This shift signals the arrival of a new economy. We must adapt with a ruthless logic and focus on adjusting to new market dynamics. For geointelligence, Earth Observation, mapping or digital twin practitioners, we need to understand what the new trade environment will mean for key verticals in this country. For industry sectors like ours, there are few bodies that represent our interests in trade negotiations, and we need to better organize. An excellent place to start some badly needed thinking is at GeoIgnite.”
Luc Vaillancourt, Founder, BALIZ
“We are now thinking in terms of geospatial freedom, diversity, and autonomy. We need to understand geospatial solutions’ components (sensors, data sources, software, servers, cloud, and services) and their origins. We need to map the value chain and financial flows. Decision and policymakers can now consider alternatives for current systems and sub-systems, adopting diverse, preferably Canadian, open technologies and data sources. Aim for interoperability and flexibility.”
Nicholas Kellett, Founder & CEO, Deploy Solutions
Nicholas Kellett, Founder & CEO, “I think the trade war is Russian-infused American gangsterism masquerading as economic policy. It’s caused a possibly irreversible rupture in our friendship and trade relationship, which was the most successful in history. I’ve never seen Canadians so angry at America. Now we have got a 30-day pause, our governments and citizens must use the time to urgently reduce our vulnerability to the USA however we can.”
Steve Slusarenko, Director, SUMDEx
“If the tariffs are enacted, the negative impact on both sides of the border will be felt quickly. Free trade drives efficiencies and keeps prices low and quality high. I cannot see the tariffs directly impacting the geospatial industry other than reducing demand for geospatial services by stifling growth in projects that rely on exports to the US. However, they may stimulate growth by inducing the domestic resource sector to build more infrastructure to support interprovincial trade and increase exports to our Pacific Rim and European trade partners.
Denis Hains, Founder, President & CEO, H2i Inc
Denis Hains, Founder, President & CEO, “Geospatial and Hydrospatial domains present great opportunities, but relying too much on one client or geographical region of the world is risky — especially in today’s fragile geopolitical climate. Diversify to thrive — it’s a small world after all!”
Carina Butterworth, Geomatics Instructor, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary
“Geomatics is a small industry where everyone gets to know everyone. My initial reaction to the tariffs is that I still have good friends and colleagues across the border and our current initiatives will not be affected. I also feel that this will help build the Canadian tech industry where innovation will provide the tools and newest technologies locally, so that we remove the dependence on development in the US. The tariffs are not going to change the collegial atmosphere we work in with our American friends. It will impact how we use the equipment for cross-border projects and may challenge the costs of using our equipment across the border, but many of the distributors with international head offices won’t be affected. As the trade dynamics change, we will rely more on partnerships within Canada but also on partnerships in different ways in the US. The community is small and we all enjoy working together, so using our instilled resourcefulness and innovation, we will find ways to move equipment, software, and products for our clients in an efficient way.”
If you are a Canadian geospatial industry leader or professional who feels strongly about the issue, we invite you to share your thoughts and comments with us. Your insights could contribute to this important discussion and help shape the narrative around the impact of these trade tensions.
