TARIFF TRACKER

For almost 80 years, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Ontario (ECAO) has served and represented the interests of Ontario’s industry-leading, unionized electrical contractors. Over those many decades, ECAO has stepped up during times of challenge to support our members in their unfailing delivery of safe, skilled electrical and communications construction and maintenance services to businesses across Ontario.

 

We are closely following the threat of tariffs on Canadian goods by the United States, and the inevitable Canadian response. We know that this latest challenge to Canada’s contracting industry is causing concern and uncertainty among ECAO’s 550 members who employ over 17,000 skilled tradespeople across Ontario.

 

ECAO will continue to support our members’ success through this latest challenge with expert communication and education, and through advocacy with our government, labour and industry partners. We welcome our members and other interested parties to visit our website’s new ‘Tariff Tracker’ section at www.ecao.org to access articles and updates by industry experts on the potential US-imposed tariffs and their impacts.

 

Today and every day, ECAO is committed to working to advance the interests of our members and support the success of Ontario’s growing and robust construction industry.

Graeme Aitken, Executive Director, ECAO

via Rubicon Strategy

 

Today, Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario will suspend the 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the US, and will meet with United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Thursday, March 13 to discuss a renewed USMCA trade deal. Premier Ford will be travelling to DC with federal Minister of Finance Dominic Leblanc, following discussions with Prime Minister-Designate Mark Carney and Canada’s Premiers.

 

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via CNBC

 

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has ordered his administration to raise tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports by an additional 25%, bringing the total duties to 50%.

 

The new policy will go into effect Wednesday morning, Trump said in a Truth Social post that also repeated his calls for Canada to be absorbed into the U.S. as the “Fifty First State.”

Trump said he was imposing the latest tariffs in response to Ontario’s decision to slap a 25% tax on electricity exports to the U.S.

 

That move by Ontario Premier Doug Ford was itself issued in retaliation for the sweeping 25% tariffs that Trump had placed on imports from Canada.

 

“Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on “Electricity” coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday morning.

 

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via CBC

 

Ontario is imposing a 25 per cent surcharge on all U.S.-bound electricity as part of its retaliatory measures against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods.

 

The new levy took effect Monday and will add about $10 per megawatt-hour to the cost of power heading south, the province says. It will generate an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 per day, money that will be used to support workers and businesses hit by U.S. tariffs.

 

"Believe me when I say I do not want to do this," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference Monday.

 

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via CBC

 

Ontario will charge 25 per cent more for electricity shipped to 1.5 million Americans starting Monday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, Premier Doug Ford said Thursday.

 

The province provides electricity to Minnesota, New York and Michigan. Earlier this week, Ford warned the governors of those states about the coming changes.

 

"You touch the stove once, you get burned, you don't touch that stove again," Ford said. "We're going to make sure that we follow through with what we said we were going to do."

Ford said he felt bad about laying the surcharge.

"I feel terrible for the three governors, I have a phenomenal relationship (with them)," he said.

 

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via CBC

 

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he is again pausing his tariffs on some Canadian goods until April 2, offering the country at least a partial reprieve from a punishing 25 per cent levy.

 

Trump's actions are a welcome development, given just how damaging tariffs that big could be for the Canadian economy.

 

But the events of the last week show what Canada is in for over the next nearly four years: chaos, unpredictability and constantly moving goal posts from a White House that doesn't play by normal trade rules.

 

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via CBC

 

Ontario's decision to cancel its $100-million contract with Elon Musk's Starlink as part of Premier Doug Ford's response to new U.S. trade tariffs has left Indigenous communities in the north questioning the government's commitment to broadband access.

Sol Mamakwa, the Ontario NDP MPP for Kiiwetinoong, says the cancellation raises serious concerns about digital infrastructure for remote communities struggling with reliable internet.

 

The contract, signed in 2024, was intended to provide Starlink satellite internet to 15,000 remote homes and businesses in Ontario. However, the Ford government scrapped it in retaliation to President Donald Trump's trade measures against Canada.

 

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via CBC

 

United States President Donald Trump followed through with his tariff threat against Canadian energy on Tuesday, reigniting calls from the sector to overhaul the country's regulatory framework to help move new energy projects forward and reach other export markets.

 

Oil and gas exports from Canada are being hit with a 10 per cent tariff, while all other Canadian goods are levied at 25 per cent. 

 

"This is something that we were hoping wouldn't happen, that we could avoid," said Mike Holden, vice-president of policy and chief economist with the Business Council of Alberta (BCA). 

 

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via CBC

 

As the U.S. imposes heavy tariffs on Canadian goods — and Ottawa retaliates — many in Ontario industries like auto, steel and trucking say they're in for a tough road ahead.

 

Just after midnight Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump followed through with long-threatened tariffs on most Canadian goods, as well as a 10 per cent tariff on all Canadian energy exports to the U.S.

 

Canada responded by slapping tariffs on an initial tranche of $30 billion worth of American goods, and promising to place tariffs on an additional $125 billion worth of goods in three weeks.

 

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via CBC

 

Ontario will rip up its $100-million deal with Elon Musk's Starlink internet provider and U.S. companies will be banned from procurement contracts as part of the province's response to President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods.

 

Premier Doug Ford announced the measures Tuesday, adding he's warning lawmakers in New York, Michigan and Minnesota that if the trade war "persists" Ontario will put a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity flowing into the states and potentially cut the flow off entirely.

 

Ontario supplies roughly 1.5 million customers in the border states with electricity.

 

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via CBC

 

With no indication that U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed course, blanket tariffs have been imposed on Canadian goods — as has a first wave of counter-tariffs on some U.S. imports. 

 

Trump said Monday that his long-threatened trade war is going ahead with 25 per cent levies on most Canadian goods and that they would take effect as of midnight Tuesday — and there's nothing Canada can do to stop it.

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said later on Monday that a first tranche of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods would also be going into force at the same time.

"Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures," Trudeau said in a statement late Monday.

 

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via LinkedIn News

 

U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico have officially gone into effect, with most imports from both countries now subject to 25% levies. The U.S. also doubled its trade tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%. Stocks fell after President Trump announced that there was "no room left" to negotiate the duties, which had been delayed by a month. Canada announced its own retaliatory tariffs, while China announced tariffs on U.S. farm goods, "marking a major escalation in a brewing trade war," writes The Washington Post.

 

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on unjustified U.S. tariffs against Canada:

 

“Today, after a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.

 

“While less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada, we have worked relentlessly to address this scourge that affects Canadians and Americans alike. We implemented a $1.3 billion border plan with new choppers, boots on the ground, more co-ordination, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. We appointed a Fentanyl Czar, listed transnational criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, launched the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell, and are establishing a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force on organized crime. Because of this work – in partnership with the United States – fentanyl seizures from Canada have dropped 97 per cent between December 2024 and January 2025 to a near-zero low of 0.03 pounds seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 

“Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered. Should American tariffs come into effect tonight, Canada will, effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow, respond with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time. Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures. While we urge the U.S. administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers, and for a fair deal.

 

“Because of the tariffs imposed by the U.S., Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs. Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term.”

 

Read Here

via CBC

 

Being confused by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff plans isn't a flaw — it's proof you're paying attention in the funhouse maze of Trump trade threats.

One minute, he's imposing massive tariffs on Canada and Mexico, then they're delayed, then they're proceeding March 4, then they're not, then they are again, but it turns out he's really talking about smaller tariffs later.

Now in the latest twist Thursday, the massive tariffs are back on. 

A reason it's so confusing is Trump has made a multitude of tariff threats, like an endless geyser of economic menace. 

He tends to slosh these threats together, conflating them when asked about one; then it's left to his aides to clear things up, which is what his White House did Tuesday and his commerce secretary did Wednesday.

 

Read more

via CBC

 

A trade war between Canada and the United States is a complicated issue that has consequences for an untold number of people on both sides of the border. Here are the answers to your most common questions, all in one place.

 

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via MNP

 

Canada’s political and economic landscapes are in the spotlight this year with a new Prime Minister, new rules of engagement with our U.S. trading partners, and many open questions about what to expect in the months ahead.

Our latest Business Owner Series Webinar explored some of the most critical questions facing businesses in 2025, including:

 

Previous budget measures: How will the next government address proposed capital gains measures, carbon tax rebates, and changes to the SR&ED tax credit?

 

Political scan: Who is likely to form the next government, what do voters care about, and what will their mandate be?

 

Tariffs and trade uncertainty: How do tariffs work, what will their impact be on Canadian importers and exporters, and how can businesses offset the impacts of increased costs and lower demand?

 

Read more for a full summary of the conversation and to view the webinar in full. 

 

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via Electro-Federation Canada

 

In response to the proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, EFC conducted a survey to better understand and quantify the potential impact. The proposed tariffs have raised concerns across various industries, including Canada's electrical and automation sector.
 

With 85 member organizations represented (approximately 33% of membership), the results revealed tariffs on Canadian goods would have a significant impact on costs, supply chains and overall business operations.  65% of respondents anticipate that tariffs would have significant to very severe impacts to their businesses. Expected consequences to the tariffs include price increases and supplier and market re-alignment. When asked if members were supportive of retaliatory tariffs? The answer was 60% in favour of retaliation.

 

Read more | Click here to view the full survey results

via Global News

 

U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico are coming next week, U.S. President Donald Trump has said — and the imminent threat is heightening fears about the futures of millions of jobs.

 

Economists are warning that the sweeping 25 per cent tariffs would be the “most significant trade shock” for Canada since the 1930s, with job losses expected across multiple sectors.

 

“There’s lots of sectors that have a lot of jobs tied both directly and indirectly to trade with the United States,” Erik Johnson, economist at BMO Capital Markets told Global News

 

The tariffs are expected to take effect March 4, a date Trump has repeated several times in recent weeks.

 

Analysts and economists are worried that sustained tariffs could push Canada into a recession.

 

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via CBC

 

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he will go forward with a 25 per cent tariff on most imports from Canada next week, saying the country has ripped off the U.S. for too long and it's time to put a stop to it.

Speaking to reporters at a White House news conference with the French president, Trump said work to implement those tariffs is "moving along very rapidly."

"The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule. This is an abuse that took place for many, many years. The tariffs will go forward, yes, and we're going to make up a lot of territory," Trump said.

 

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via Osler

 

On February 13, 2025, U.S. President Trump issued a “Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs” memorandum (the Reciprocal Trade Memo) signaling the United States’ intent to impose new tariffs and possibly other trade-restrictive measures on its trading partners, equivalent to tariffs or non-tariff barriers in those other jurisdictions. The objective of the U.S. policy is to counter what the United States considers “non-reciprocal trading arrangements” that are unfair to U.S. commercial interests. While the Reciprocal Trade Memo does not itself impose tariffs, it sets the stage for a “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” (the Reciprocal Trade Plan) for new tariffs or other measures against, potentially, every U.S. trading partner, including Canada.

 

This Update explains the Reciprocal Trade Memo, the practical challenges the Plan is likely to face, how Canada could be affected and the implications of the Reciprocal Trade Memo for the international trading system.

What ‘non-reciprocal trade arrangements’ are targeted?

The Reciprocal Trade Memo takes an expansive view of “non-reciprocal trade arrangements.” They include

• - tariffs on U.S. goods that are higher than those the U.S. imposes on similar goods
• - internal taxes imposed by other countries, including value-added taxes
• - non-tariff regulatory barriers, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical regulations
• - government procurement measures
• - inadequate intellectual property protections
• - digital trade barriers
• - exchange rate policies and practices
• - wage suppression
• - a catch-all for “any other practice” that imposes what the United States considers an unfair limitation to market access or fair competition

 

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via Ted Dreyer, Madorin, Synder LLP

The word on the street is that steel producers did not wait for Donald Trump to apply the steel tariffs to Canada before they increased the price of steel.  Contractors and subcontractors are worried about committing to fixed prices without knowing where steel prices are headed. 

 

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Please acess the recording here: https://bit.ly/4gEInjz


With tariffs on Canadian goods at 25% and retaliatory measures still a potential threat, Ontario’s electrical contracting industry is bracing for impact. From skyrocketing material costs to supply chain nightmares, contractors must now navigate new financial and legal risks on every project.

 

Join us for an essential webinar on Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Construction Chaos: Trying to Get a Grasp by Dan Leduc, Partner, Soloway Wright LLP.

Date: February 14^th, 2025
Time: 10 am to 11 am EST

Recording Link: 

 

In this session, we’ll break down the real-world impact of tariffs on:
✅ Construction pricing
✅ Contract wording
✅ Competitive pressures

 

You’ll walk away with practical strategies to:
Mitigate risk and revise contracts
Qualify bids and diversify supply chains
Manage pricing volatility and protect your bottom line

 

In this economy, dodging tariffs might just be the new value engineering!

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of cost escalations and avoid getting caught in the crossfire of global trade disputes.

Register Here

Via Global News

 

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday he will impose tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and aluminum against multiple countries, including Canada, in his latest salvo of trade threats against other nations.

 

It’s not the first time, however, Trump has imposed such tariffs against Canada — in 2018, he imposed 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum. Those tariffs lasted for about a year.

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not commented yet on the proposed threat.

 

But as the tariffs come into effect, here’s what you should know about Canada’s trading relationship of both products with the U.S.

Read More

 

 Via Osler

 

On February 10 and 11, 2025, U.S. President Trump issued two Executive Orders (EOs) reimposing tariffs on steel and aluminum products and some of their derivative products from Canada and other countries that were exempted from the 2018 steel and aluminum tariffs. The EOs will become effective on March 12, 2025, and will reapply a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and increase the aluminum tariff rate from 10% to 25%.

The reimposition of steel and aluminum tariffs result from the U.S. President’s authority under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (section 232). They are distinct from and in addition to the U.S.’ broad 25% tariffs against all Canadian imports announced earlier this month, which are  currently paused until March 5.

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Via CTV News

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday removed the exceptions and exemptions from his 2018 tariffs on steel, meaning that all steel imports will be taxed at a minimum of 25%. Trump also hiked his 2018 aluminum tariffs to 25% from 10%.

 

“We were being pummeled by both friend and foe alike,” Trump said as he signed two proclamations changing his orders during his first term that go into effect on March 4. “It’s time for our great industries to come back to America.”

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via MNP

Now that a U.S. trade review is underway and those vying for Canada’s top job have shared some of their intentions for the country, we have a clearer picture of what this all means for Canadian businesses.

 

Our next Business Owner Series webinar will cut through the uncertainty to review the impacts of U.S. tariffs and Canadian retaliatory tariffs and how affected businesses can make themselves resilient to trade pressures. We’ll also have a Canadian political expert from Crestview Strategies on hand to review the country’s near- and long-term policy direction — and what that could mean for Canadian businesses.

 

Spaces are limited. Register now to secure your spot!

Register Here

 

via Canadian Electrical Contractors Association

Now that a U.S. trade review is underway and those vying for Canada’s top job have shared some of their intentions for the country, we have a clearer picture of what this all means for Canadian businesses.

As the national voice for Canada’s electrical contracting industry, the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) represents and champions the interests of more than 8,000 electrical contractors who directly employ 70,000 skilled people across Canada who, in turn, generate over $5 billion in revenues annually.

 

Today, our industry faces an unforeseen and unprecedented threat – that of tariffs on Canadian goods by our long-time trading partner and neighbour, the United States. Should it come to pass, such action, and the likely retaliatory response by Canada, would have immediate, direct and potentially devastating impacts on the Canadian electrical construction industry and on our country’s economy.

 

CECA understands that this potential action is causing uncertainty and apprehension among the country’s electrical contractors from coast to coast to coast. As the recognized national voice of the sector since 1955, we will maintain close communication with our Canadian and international partners, including the US National Electrical Contractors’ Association (NECA), and share updates and learnings relevant to the electrical contracting industry as we receive them.

We encourage electrical contractors across Canada to stay tuned into their provincial associations for news and updates related to potential tariff action, and attend any local information sessions. And as always, we urge the many skilled workers employed by Canada’s electrical contractors to keep their minds on task despite the distractions, and work safely every day.

 

About the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA)

Working directly with national and provincial associations to ensure a truly representative view, the CECA:

• facilitates the sharing of best practices and products
• advances the interests and image of electrical contractors by developing contractor capacity and competency
• influences public policy affecting our industry
• influences the creation of nationally consistent, safe and efficient electrical codes and standards

Via Electrical Business Magazine

“Hi, I’m Troy McClure! You may remember me from such articles as ‘Covid-19 impacts: scary but true’ and ‘Supply chain meltdown’ and ‘Hyperinflation: not your friend’.

 

We find ourselves back to the same issues, only dressed up in a different guise.

With Trump implementing a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods, and our government’s retaliatory steps, where does that leave Canada’s construction industry?

 

Material costs and supply chains

The construction sector relies heavily on commodities like steel, copper, aluminum, and lumber, all of which are vulnerable to tariffs. The tariff on goods entering the U.S. could make our products less competitive, and Canadian producers may pass these costs on to domestic buyers.

Read More

Via Daily Commercial News

Uncertainty still hangs over the Canadian economy despite U.S. President Donald Trump announcing a 30-day pause in tariffs that were to take effect Tuesday.

 

The temporary reprieve halts — at least for now — a continental trade war that economists on both sides of the border warned would raise prices.

Trump’s decision meant Canada and the provinces also halted their moves to retaliate including with tariffs and bans on U.S. alcohol sales north of the border.

Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy.

 

On Monday, following two phone calls with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump said the tariffs would be off the table for 30 days to see if the two countries could reach a “final economic deal.”

Read More

via Canada's Building Trades Unions

It's been a turbulent week for Canadians. 

While we have received a 30-day reprieve from the threats of U.S. tariffs on Canada, Canada's Building Trades Unions are ready to fight for our members and skilled trades jobs. 

Last week, I met with Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour Steven MacKinnon and Canadian labour leaders to discuss what the Canadian government should do to protect workers.  

If tariffs become a reality, CBTU is calling for the government to implement the following actions immediately:

• Institute immediate enhancements to Employment Insurance, re-introducing job sharing programs, and adjusting the thresholds for EI eligibility so more Canadians can access the program more quickly

The threat of onerous tariffs has given Canadians a window to look at our internal challenges and opportunities to become more economically and energy independent. We should:

• Immediately begin planning for new trade infrastructure including pipelines, rail and sea transport, and other trade infrastructure investments to bring Canadian products and resources to new, more reliable markets
• Remove intra-provincial trade and labour barriers

It's crucial to get more shovels in the ground now for the new infrastructure required to ensure Canada’s economic future remains bright. 

Canada's Building Trades Unions is committed to protecting the interests of our members and Canadian workers, and I will share further updates as the situation develops.

Have a good weekend,
 
Sean

 

Via Osler

On February 1, 2025, U.S. President Trump issued an Executive Order imposing 25% tariffs on all “products of Canada”, excluding energy resources, which will face 10% tariffs instead. The tariffs were originally slated to come into force February 4, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time. In response to the tariffs, Canada released its own retaliatory tariff package, beginning with 25% surtaxes on select U.S. goods representing $30 billion in annual imports, originally also planned to be effective February 4, 2025. As of February 3, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET, the U.S. and Canada's implementation of the proposed tariffs have been put on pause for 30 days. 

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Via Norton Rose Fulbright

Join Norton Rose Fulbright for a webinar on the evolving tariff landscape and what businesses on both sides of the border need to know. Starting February 4^th, the US will impose 25% tariffs on imports into the US of Canadian-origin products, except energy resources, which are subject to a 10% duty. In response, Canada will retaliate with tariffs on many US-origin imports. This shift in trade dynamics may impact supply chains, particularly in highly integrated sectors, as well as contracts, and business decisions. Our trade law experts will break down the key details of the Canadian and US tariffs and offer strategies for adapting.

Register Here