While Trump and Ohio legislators work to restrict free expression, the Canadian government leverages America's First Amendment to tell consumers the real cost of tariffs
Digital bill boards like this one in Pennsylvania and others in Cleveland carry a Canadian message to Americans. Canadians are taking advantage of free speech rights, which are under assault by the Trump administration and the Ohio Legislature (AP Photo/Gene J.
Puskar (AP Photo/Gene J. PuskarIn a display of both irony and marketing savvy, the Canadian government has launched a billboard campaign in Cleveland and other U.S. cities directly challenging the narrative surrounding tariffs – and the hosts of theThe electronic billboards, with their stark black backgrounds and simple white text, deliver pointed messages like “tariffs are a tax on your grocery bill” and “tariffs are a tax at the gas pump.” Each is simply signed “Canada,” creating what podcast host Laura Johnston describes as messaging more effective than what Americans are seeing from their own political leaders. “They are advertising directly to American consumers… This is the Canadian government that’s doing it. It’s not just a company in Canada. It’s not a tourism bureau,” Johnston said. “And what they are doing is telling you what the tariffs are doing because obviously we’ve got a boatload of tariffs between the countries at this point.” The campaign specifically targets 12 states that voted for Trump, with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie making appearances on CNN to outline the strategy. The goal is refreshingly straightforward – to directly inform American consumers about the real-world impact of the tariffs on their everyday lives. What makes this approach particularly noteworthy is how it contrasts with what podcast host Chris Quinn characterized as growing attempts to restrict free speech within the United States. “Credit to Canada for doing what we have forgotten about, which is to use our right to free speech,” Quinn said, pointing to the irony of Canada utilizing American constitutional rights while some American politicians seek to undermine them. The campaign comes as various tariffs between the United States and Canada have already gone into effect – 25 percent on certain goods and 1 percent on others – with more anticipated. Trump has announced plans to implement reciprocal tariffs on all countries, a move that experts warn could dramatically increase costs for American consumers. The podcast conversation highlights a growing tension in American political discourse around free speech, with Quinn drawing attention to what he perceives as concerning developments: “You got Donald Trump squashing speech. Every green card holder who has said something he disagrees with could lose their right to be in America, even though that flat out violates the law.” Quinn also mentioned an effort in Columbus to prohibit people from yelling at police, a clear First Amendment violation. Meanwhile, Canadian citizens appear to be responding to the deteriorating relationship with their own economic choices. Johnston, a native Canadian and naturalized U.S. citizen, mentioned being part of a Facebook group called “Made in Canada” with 1.3 billion members who are “looking for any way to not spend money on any American products.” The cross-border tension extends beyond billboards and social media groups. As the podcast explores later in the episode, the political climate is already impacting tourism, with Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame reporting a 30 percent decline in Canadian visitors in just the first three months of 2025. The Canadian billboard campaign represents more than just advertising – it’s a clever diplomatic strategy that uses America’s own cherished principles to communicate directly with citizens about policies they believe will harm both countries. Want to hear the full discussion about Canada’s innovative free speech strategy and the broader implications of the growing trade tensions?Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from Today in Ohio, a news podcast discussion by cleveland.com editors. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions.‘No-brainer of no-brainers’: Why do Ohio lawmakers reject easy money for sports stadiums?If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
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