St. Clair Township has approved its first public works contract of 2025 that includes a "tariff clause" to cover any extra fees if aluminum prices increase.
Council awarded a contract to Sign Ontario Ltd. during its February 18 meeting for $39,645 to design, build, and install five village entry signs this year.
Public Works Coordinator of Operations David Neely said he wouldn't be surprised to see tariff clauses added to contracts more frequently moving forward.
"It's not something we've seen in the past, that was the first time I've seen it," he said. "In regards to those signs, they're made out of -- almost exclusively -- aluminum."
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order to impose 25 per cent steel and aluminum tariffs, scheduled to take effect on March 12. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to respond if tariffs do indeed come into effect.
The five signs were included in the 2025 capital budget at an estimated cost of $50,000, so there is some allowance if costs exceed the provided quote.
"We don't know what the extra tariff cost could be, it might not be anything. We don't know at this point," said Neely.
He said the municipality will need to make an effort to procure more Canadian products and equipment depending on the outcome of the tariff dispute between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the new village signs are expected to be installed in September or October.
They will be located at Brigden Road and Kent Line, Kimball Road and Kent Line, St. Clair Parkway and Whitebread Line, St. Clair Parkway and Lasalle Line, Kimball Road and the north boundary (between Lasalle Line and Churchill Line).
Signs Ontario replaced five of the 10 signs around St. Clair Township's boundary last year, so this latest installment will complete the replacement project, proposed in 2020.
"We've heard good things from the public," Neely said. "These are the final signs to finish off the boundary of St. Clair Township. Before that, we did the signs for each individual village. This was an overall attempt to make all of them consistent looking."
Between 2020 and 2023, Signs Ontario provided new village entry signs in Corunna, Mooretown, Courtright, Sombra, Port Lambton, Brigden, and Wilkesport.
During Tuesday's council meeting, Neely noted that three Brigden signs don't match the new signs because they were replaced by a volunteer committee not too long ago.
Neely also said the community services department started replacing park signs two years ago to somewhat match the new village entry signs.