by Tova Sherman
When Canada and the U.S. fight a tariff war, do disabled Canadians become the collateral damage?
When economists debate trade barriers, they talk about steel, auto parts, and consumer goods. They completely miss the human cost.
As a disability expert, I see a much more alarming narrative. This cross-border friction is a direct threat to the health, independence, and financial survival of millions of Canadians.
Here is how the tariff war uniquely hits our community:
1. Lifeline Technology in the Crosshairs
Canada relies heavily on the U.S. for medical technology. Broad tariffs disrupt these critical supply chains.
- Higher Hardware Costs: Custom power wheelchairs, ventilators, and insulin pumps face steep inflationary pressures.
- The Repair Crisis: Trade barriers and shipping delays leave disabled Canadians stranded for weeks waiting for essential replacement parts.
2. Squeezing the “Disability Tax”
Living with a disability already comes with high out-of-pocket costs. Tariffs make this burden unbearable.
- The Poverty Trap: According to University of Alberta, disabled Canadians are twice as likely to live in poverty. Over 1.6 million already cannot afford required aids or medications
- Eroding Fixed Incomes: When broad tariffs drive up the cost of daily goods, it destroys the purchasing power of inadequate provincial and federal benefits.
3. Institutional Trickle-Down
The economic strain of a trade war squeezes public healthcare and workplace inclusion.
- Hospital Budget Strains: As suppliers pass tariff costs down, hospitals face procurement delays. This leads to longer wait times for publicly funded assistive tech.
- Stalled Workplace Inclusion: Corporate cost-cutting means businesses are less likely to invest in workplace accessibility modifications or inclusive hiring.
Life-Sustaining Infrastructure is Not a Bargaining Chip
Trade policies are consistently written with a massive blind spot toward accessibility.
We must demand that federal trade representatives explicitly insulate the disability and med-tech sectors from trade retaliation.
True economic sovereignty should not be bought at the expense of our community’s survival.
Let’s Break the Silence
The disability sector cannot remain an afterthought in international trade agreements. We need to force this issue into the mainstream economic conversation.
- To my fellow advocates and healthcare professionals: Are you already seeing price increases or repair delays for essential equipment in your network?
- To trade policy makers: How are you planning to protect life-sustaining infrastructure from cross-border retaliation?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s build the visibility this crisis desperately needs.
