Why Mississauga, Brampton residents should care about the U.S. midterms

U.S. midterms are today, which is when America chooses members of Congress for both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This will determine whether the Democrats or the Republicans have control over Congress for the remainder of U.S. President Donald Trump's time in office. Now, this could have major implications on whether the president can carry out aspects of his mandate. All 435 seats in the House are up for this election. While 33 seats are up for grabs in the Senate. Now you're probably like, Nav, why give us this lesson in US civics? And why do I care if I live in Brampton, Mississauga, or Caledon? Well, the answer is simple. For the last two years, tariffs brought forward by the Trump administration have had a major effect on many of the industries within this region, specifically automotive and steel. It's very big. In our case, as OSVA, you know, we have 57 members across Ontario, probably a third, 25 to 30% of that is businesses in the Peel region. 75% of them have laid off staff. And we're not talking insignificant amounts, we're talking 20, 30% of their staff laid off in the last two years. Our industry has suffered. Fast forward to October of 2025, they announced that our investment in product was being moved to the United States, appeasing the U.S. administration. So the impact of tariffs has been immense. Now these tariff effects are not only felt just here. Tariffs surrounding these industries are also major issues coming up in key Senate races, specifically in border towns. Places like Ohio and Michigan. And Peel is paying attention. I'm optimistic first that the average American has finally realized that Trump's policies are hurting. Not just Canada, but themselves. If we look at a 25% tariff just on steel, that adds a 6% to 8% increase on buildings, in rents, in leases. And many of these owners and developers today are working on 6% to 8% margins. So they really can't just sit there and eat it. We do talk to some border town people, right? And they feel for us. They always say, you know... It's not us, you know, it's our president. So if the results of today's midterms see the Democrats taking control of the House and the Senate, what does that mean for this existing trade war? We want to see the new person that comes on board and the new within Congress and the Senate You know, extend that olive branch. Let's get back to work. Let's do the right thing and support each other. If there's a change in those midterms and a change in power, a change in government south of the border, you would think that those thoughts would prevail and you would think that progressively that would happen and that would change hopefully overnight. But what happens if the Democrats aren't successful? Look, even if it goes the way that he wants to go, And they win, and they hold both the Senate and Congress. We're going to be in a little bit tighter spot, tougher spot than we're right now. Regardless of what happens, one Peel business leader feels that a lot more needs to happen for these industries to feel any relief from these tariffs. No doubt there's going to have to be some trade-offs in any deal that's made. There's going to have to be some concessions made on either side and both sides of the table. to move this conversation forward and we need to make sure that industry has a voice at those tables with our negotiators so that they understand that what those concessions could mean. And can that confidence come sooner rather than later? Over the weekend, Prime Minister Mark Carney says he's had a good conversation with the U.S. President on the future of Canada-U.S. trade, saying their chat, quote, builds on our recent constructive discussions over the outlines of a possible trade deal. So it should be interesting to see where the power lies in the coming weeks. Nav Nanwa, CBC News, Brampton.