Update: Your advocacy has made a meaningful impact
Thank you for all of your efforts. The feedback we received indicates that decision-makers in government are not expected to move forward with a global safeguard on furniture imports at this time.
We're also hearing that domestic stakeholders were encouraged to use the formal CITT process, where any claim would require substantial evidence and a significant commitment to pursue.
This progress reflects the strength of coordinated outreach across our industry, which appears to be influencing the willingness to continue this complaint path. We'll remain engaged and keep supporting practical, balanced trade policy in case similar tariff threats return in the future.
Proposed tariffs could raise furniture prices by up to 125%.
A proposal before Ottawa would impose steep tariffs on imported furniture — potentially turning a $2,000 sofa into a $4,500 expense. These measures would raise costs for Canadian families and businesses while putting thousands of retail and logistics jobs at risk.
Based on current feedback, it appears government is unlikely to pursue the global safeguard route at this stage.
The Claims vs. The Facts
Tariff supporters claim that a surge of imports is harming Canadian manufacturers. Government trade data tells a different story.
$144.8M
Average monthly imports
Stable over 24 months
No Surge
Only modest fluctuations
No unusual increase
58.6%
From Asia by value
Consistent with past years
Data as of January 9, 2026. Source: Government of Canada Trade Data Online
On average, $144,810,400 was imported each month from all countries. The data shows modest fluctuations but by no means a sustained nor consistent increase that would justify the first principle of a global safeguard:
"The Tribunal conducts a safeguard inquiry to determine if increased imports of goods into Canada are causing or are threatening to cause serious injury to domestic producers of like or directly competitive goods."
— CITT Safeguard Inquiry Guidelines
The evidence does not support the need for these tariffs.
Why These Tariffs Won't Work
Canadian furniture manufacturers do not have the capacity to supply the entire domestic market. This is a structural reality — not a question of competition or pricing.
No Domestic Alternative
Canadian manufacturers lack the capacity, variety, and scale to supply the full market. Imports fill essential gaps that tariffs cannot close.
Job Losses, Not Gains
Thousands work in furniture retail, warehousing, and delivery. When prices rise and demand falls, these are the jobs that disappear first.
Flawed Tax Rules
A $300 chair with $5 in metal hardware would be taxed as though made entirely of metal — penalizing finished products unfairly.
Families Pay More
Higher prices strain household budgets and raise costs for affordable housing projects. Trade restrictions also risk retaliation against Canadian exports.