UWPH assures community over tariff concerns

A portion of the funds raised through the United Way Perth-Huron’s (UWPH) $2.6-million annual fundraising campaign will go to support community members facing cost-of-living and mental-health challenges related to recent tariffs imposed both north and south of the Canada-U.S. border. 

Community members can donate to the Urgent Needs Fund campaign until the end of March. Funds raised support individuals who struggle with job loss, mental health, food security and other related issues made worse by tariffs. 

Ryan Erb, executive director at United Way Perth Huron, says the real impact so far has been a collective anxiety due to the unpredictable future, along with changes in the stock market related to personal investment. 

“I think everyone is in this pattern of waking up every day and investigating the latest changes and discussions,” said Erb. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves because we don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but at the same time, we want to be prepared and the United Way is trying to make sure that people are aware of the existing social services that are there for them.”

 Community members are encouraged by UWHP to utilize their 24-7 211 helpline that’s tasked with connecting callers with social services designated to their personal challenges whether it be housing, food, mental health or other hardships.

“211 administers the Urgent Needs Fund, so if people are looking for some financial assistance, they can call 211. If they qualify according to their income, then they can utilize that access and that goes for anyone who lives within Perth and Huron,” said Erb. 

Erb said tariffs could influence the cost of products along with presenting significant challenges in Stratford’s automotive industry due to the design process, which is reliant on a timed system. Disruption to the system can lead to delayed production challenges and cause layoffs. 

Aaron Balzer, resource coordinator at Stratford House of Blessing, said the organization has not been impacted by tariff concerns but is prepared for the future. 

“We may see an impact when our buying power will be diminished and that people may have less to give, but we have yet to see what that effect will be,” said Balzer. “We are preparing ourselves and we are ready, we have gone through recessions and slumps in the past and the community has always stepped up to support us. We have a very generous city in Stratford.”

For more information on the 211 helpline or the Urgent Needs Fund, call UWPH at 519-791-7730 or visit perthhuron.unitedway.ca.