Latest news with #buyCanadian
CBC
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba government makes exemptions to buy-Canadian policy, Tories say in legislature
The Manitoba government is formally barring U.S. companies from bidding on some government contracts, but the Opposition Progressive Conservatives say that's not the case for at least two big-dollar projects. The government promised in March to implement a buy-Canadian policy which would prioritize Canadian firms, in response to tariffs on Canadian goods imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. In some recent requests for proposals, the government has explicitly banned bids from south of the border. A request for proposals issued Tuesday for a "comfort camping village" — a term that can include amenities such as cabins or yurts — in St. Malo Provincial Park is limited to Canadian suppliers. In addition, "submissions which propose the use of subcontractors based in the United States will be automatically disqualified," the government's online proposal said. Similar wording was used for the planned redevelopment of a washroom and shower building in Whiteshell Provincial Park. The work involved is of a low enough dollar value to be exempt from Canada-U.S. free-trade obligations, a government spokesperson said. But the Progressive Conservatives said Tuesday there have been glaring exemptions to the buy-Canadian policy. The Tories tabled government documents in the legislature that showed two technology contracts, worth more than $1.8 million each, were awarded to firms headquartered in Texas and California in March after U.S. tariffs took effect. One — a deal with software company Actian, based in Round Rock, Texas — was awarded directly, meaning other companies were not given an opportunity to bid. "This NDP government gave multi-million dollar ... contracts to American firms in the middle of a trade war," Tory legislature member Josh Guenter said. The government said it is in the middle of reviewing its purchasing and aiming to favour Canadian firms. "Our government is reviewing all the contract and procurement policies to make sure we are getting the most benefit for Manitobans," said Mintu Sandhu, the provincial minister for public service delivery.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
American-furniture purchase shows confusion over Windsor's council's 'buy Canadian' request
City staff will bring back new buy Canadian policy options for council to mull over after taxpayers criticized a $285,000 order of American-made outdoor furniture purchased last month. Days before that purchase was approved, council directed staff to buy Canadian goods and services when its financially and operationally reasonable to "support local and domestic businesses and workers." Councillor Kieran McKenzie, who introduced the motion, is worried that might still be left for interpretation. "All of it was with the intention of really trying to dig into: where can we buy Canadian wherever possible?" said McKenzie during Monday's council meeting. Senior administration seemed to agree, telling council they need more clear direction on when to prioritize Canadian goods and services. Windsor's Chief Administrative Officer Ray Mansour said staff need to know if they're looking for "what's the best deal financially for the taxpayer or do we want to buy Canadian at all cost when it's available?" Staff defend purchase of American-made furniture The discussion about buying Canadian was reignited after taxpayers questioned councillors about a CBC News report outlining city's staff purchase of American-made furniture for the outdoor ice rink at city hall. City engineer David Simpson told council that staff "fully followed council direction" by purchasing the furniture, adding that it came in under budget while highlighting the quality and superior warranty. Councillor Fred Francis had previously suggested cancelling the purchase because of the backlash and was told that would cost the city a penalty of $90,000. City staff have said that 10 suppliers were considered including Canadian companies. But the city has not said what the cost difference would have been between those suppliers. Windsor has not made any changes to its procurement policy while the trade war with the United States continues but is considering options. Ontario bans U.S. companies from procurement In March, the province restricted United States businesses from provincial procurements with certain exemptions. That flows down to places like hospitals, public school boards, and universities but it does not apply to cities like Windsor. "Ontario's Procurement Restriction Policy does not apply to municipalities," said a spokesperson for Ontario's minister of public and business service delivery. "Where possible we encourage all partners to support made-in-Ontario and made-in-Canada businesses. In doing so, they may wish to follow Ontario's guidance." Municipalities across Ontario like Vaughan, Toronto and Mississauga have adjusted their procurement polices follwoing the lead of the provincial government. Buy Canadian approach 'long overdue' It's a move that the head of Ontario's Public Buyers Association (OPBA) hopes continues long term. "I think it's long overdue," said Victoria Mirlocca, chair of the OPBA and manager of procurement for the City of Mississauga. "This entire movement is great for our economy and as public sector entities, it just opens up an entire new world and how we can focus our procurements and be more strategic." Typically, a city will accept bids on a project and award it to the lowest bidder that meets the criteria. But that's changed in cities like Mississauga. "If a low bidder comes in and they are a US supplier, but the second lowest bidder is non-us and is within 20%, we're gonna award to the non-us supplier," said Mirlocca. She said that requires clear definitions of what makes a company American. Provincially, that's a company that is headquartered in United States with fewer than 250 full-time employees in Canada. Mississauga is following a similar definition, said Mirlocca, while also opening up more projects to an invite-only style of procurement so staff can narrow in on Canadian businesses. "We're building programs around that so that our contract managers and our project managers understand, you know, we need to attract local businesses," she said. Those thresholds have to be below $353,300 for goods and services and $8.8-million for construction to meet the Canada Free Trade Agreement that applies to trade between Canada and European states. There's also language in both Mississauga's and Ontario's policy changes that allow for staff to purchase goods and services from the United States if there's no alternative. Mitigate tariffs or support local companies? Where those policy shits are aimed at building up Canadian procurement, Windsor's approach has been primarily about mitigating Canadian counter-tariffs while getting the best value. "If something's financial advantageous, we're sort of going with it, in accordance with the purchasing by-law," said the city's acting commissioner of human and health service Dana Paladino at Monday's council meeting. "But if council's direction is that it doesn't matter if its advantageous, this is something that we need to consider, than we need to bring that back." Mayor Drew Dilkens believes that the deal for the American-made outdoor furniture was "in the best interest of the taxpayer." He said council can tell staff to build conditions into tenders that require specific levels of Canadian content but that could lead to shifts in costs. "You don't know whether if you did that you're paying 20 per cent more, 10 per cent more, 5 per cent more? You don't know unless you actually put it in there and maybe do a comparison saying 'All Canadian goods and then next comparable price," said Dilkens. The rest of council supported councillor McKenzie's ask for staff to bring back alternative procurement policy options. "I think if it's a status quo sort of thing than I think we land back here in this discussion again. I don't know if we all want that," said McKenzie.
