Marc Whit, Manager – St. Lawrence Pro Hardware –
Nestled in the heart of downtown Toronto at 130 Lower Sherbourne Street, St. Lawrence Pro Hardware has long been a hub for local builders, DIY enthusiasts and neighbourhood renovation projects. Today, the store is sounding the alarm: prices on essential goods, from steel tools to electrical wiring, are set to rise sharply. It says customers should buy now to avoid the sting.
Ripple effects from U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade measures continue to disrupt global markets. This spring, the Trump administration-imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on energy imports, citing national security.
While initially targeting China, the measures sparked retaliatory tariffs and reshuffled supply chains worldwide. With the United States maintaining many of these policies and proposing new tariffs on electrical products like transformers and circuit breakers, costs for manufacturers—and ultimately consumers—are climbing again.
For St. Lawrence Pro Hardware, the impact is immediate. Suppliers are already raising prices on steel tools, aluminum ladders and house appliances. If you’ve been planning a project, don’t delay. Prices will go up, even on items not made in the U.S.
Canadian prices linked to U.S. tariffs
The connection between U.S. tariffs and Canadian retail prices isn’t straightforward, but it’s unavoidable. When tariffs drive up costs for American manufacturers, global suppliers often adjust prices worldwide to maintain uniformity, as companies want to avoid undercutting their own prices in different regions.
For example, if U.S. prices on German steel products go up due to tariffs, the producer may hike prices to Canadian buyers too, even without direct trade penalties. If a product costs 20 percent more in the U.S., suppliers often increase prices elsewhere to prevent cross-border arbitrage. Canadians end up paying the same premium.
This domino effect has already hit St. Lawrence Pro. A shipment of Canadian-made aluminum transition strips arrived recently with a 12 percent price jump, while steel tools from Ontario-based suppliers rose eight percent this month. Electrical components, critical for Toronto’s booming condo renovations, are next.
Buy now
Our message to customers is urgent: act fast. Once pre-tariff inventory runs out, new stock will cost more. The stakes are high for a community that needs to build housing.
Local contractor Mario Santo, who’s renovating a row of Victorian homes near Parliament Street, fears delayed projects. “I told my clients to lock in prices now,” he said. “If $500 steel beams jump to $600, that could blow entire budgets.”
Even small purchases add up. A $20 electrical outlet could soon cost $25, while a $150 aluminum ladder might leap to $180. For homeowners and tradespeople, the difference could stall everything from kitchen remodels to accessibility upgrades.
Keeping prices within reach
Our store is determined to prevent costs from derailing community plans. We’re renegotiating with suppliers, absorbing some increases ourselves, and shifting to bulk purchases. The store has also frozen prices on pre-ordered materials for projects starting before next fall. And we’re stocking more Canadian-made alternatives, such as Quebec-produced steel fasteners and Ontario-sourced soda cylinders.
But we need our customers’ support too.
Community solidarity
Toronto’s downtown core thrives on mutual aid. When the COVID-19 pandemic spiked lumber prices in 2021, neighbourhood contractors pooled orders to secure discounts. Today, we hope for similar solidarity. If we all shop local and plan ahead, we can soften the blow.
As global trade policies collide with local realities, St. Lawrence Pro Hardware remains a bastion of resilience, but higher prices are inevitable. So support one another, shop smart and don’t wait, we urge. Together, we’ll get through this.
