UVic and UVSS considering how to minimize potential impacts of tariffs
Photo by Ethan Barkley.
The threat of tariffs between the United States, Canada, and Mexico has consumers on both sides of the border concerned about the costs of imported goods. At present, it is unclear whether tariffs will have an impact on the cost of on-campus food options for students — but UVic is preparing for such an outcome.
Since his inauguration, U.S. President Donald Trump has been threatening to impose 25 per cent tariffs across the board on imports from Canada and Mexico. In early February, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised a retaliatory 25 per cent tariff on $155 billion worth of American goods.
The White House officially put tariffs in place on March 4. As the imposition of tariffs results in higher prices for imported goods, it is possible that some items offered by UVic Food Services and the UVSS will be impacted.
“UVic Food Services works through a Canadian food supply chain and does not directly source any products from the United States,” reads a statement from a UVic spokesperson.
The spokesperson added that some items that reach UVic through this supply chain “may indirectly come from the U.S. when they are not seasonally available in Canada.”
UVic has been a member of Feed BC — a provincial government partnership initiative designed to “increase B.C. food in hospitals, residential care facilities, public post-secondary institutions, and other government-supported facilities” — since 2021. The UVic spokesperson told the Martlet that 51 per cent of UVic’s food purchases are sourced from B.C. When a B.C. source is not available, they said, UVic prioritizes Canadian sources where possible.
“UVic is discussing the possibility of tariff impacts with our suppliers and asking for input on minimizing costs,” said a UVic spokesperson in a statement emailed to the Martlet. They added that alternate suppliers and recipe adjustments may be considered to minimize the potential impact of price increases.
The other main food outlet for students on campus, the Student Union Building (SUB), is run by the UVSS. Dale Robertson, General Manager of the UVSS, said in an emailed statement to the Martlet that the UVSS sources food from a number of suppliers, including Gordon Food Service Canada, Islands West Produce, and B&C Foods.
Like UVic, Robertson said that the UVSS does not directly source from U.S. suppliers, but some products originating in the U.S. are distributed through their suppliers.
“Potential tariffs on U.S. products could impact food prices, depending on their scope and duration,” said Robertson. “The UVSS will continue to assess the situation and explore cost-effective alternatives where possible to minimize the impact on students.”
If cost-effective alternatives are unavailable, Robertson said, the UVSS “may need to adjust pricing accordingly,” but maintained that the UVSS “[remains] committed to keeping food as affordable as possible for students” while balancing the other financial commitments of the UVSS, such as student supports, campaigns, and advocacy.
