the on-again-off-again tariffs are creating an instability in the global market

And in the case of ostomy supplies, I can't imagine being a medical supply retailer and having to either not order in product (due to high costs because of tariffs) or bring them in and be stuck with overinflated goods (because of tariffs) when the dust finally settles. And imagine this could apply to medication, and other medical supplies, too.

This goes well beyond the impact it could have on patients.

The inconsistency is the problem for businesses, too. Any business can pivot if they know what they are pivoting to, but the way it's been going, it's impossible.

Fortunately, we have European friends and no enemies in Asia, so Canada will be in a better position than our self-isolating neighbours.

But we do still rely on other countries for our supplies, as Canada really doesn't manufacturer ostomy-related good, unfortunately. Maybe this will change.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/trump-tariffs-canada-unexpected-advantage-1.7507240

It remains to be seen whether the tariffs are applied after the 90 day reprieve, and importantly, the on-again-off-again tariffs are creating an instability in the global market, which will affect everyone - negatively. What is happening with US treasury bonds will be interesting to watch; we may be seeing the beginnings of that now. When the markets become unstable, investors get nervous. Usually, safe investments are US treasury bonds, but apparently that’s not happening now. Investors are putting their $ elsewhere. When US treasury bonds become unsafe for investors, it causes inflation, higher interest rates (including interest rates on the deficit), and a weakening of the US$. If the US $ is critically wounded, the world will look to another currency as the standard by which all other currencies are measured. Will that be the Euro? The Yuan? Who knows? Also, who holds investment in US debt? And if the global market is unstable, will these countries call in the debt? If that happens, the global economy will look like a house of cards in a windstorm. Fingers crossed is a good idea.

 Laurie 

And I have been looking (on the internet) at where ostomy supplies are manufactured - wondering how that cost could be affected. They are made all over the world: among the places are the US, UK, Canada, India, Australia, Ireland, Denmark, Lithuania …. 

 Laurie 

I also don’t know how often to change my appliance. In the hospital they put me in a 2 piece system, and I’ve been emptying and rinsing the bag, but how many days should I go before changing the wafer?

This article should answer a few of those questions, and more: https://www.veganostomy.ca/when-to-change-ostomy-appliance/

Keep in mind that for the first 4-6 weeks, things won't be very consistent, so you may need to change your appliance more often during that time.