Supporting Canadian businesses: Vaughan bans U.S. suppliers in response to American tariffs
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Council approves procurement strategy to prioritize Canadian products, goods and services
Mayor Steven Del Duca issued the following statement today after Council approved a procurement strategy to ban U.S. suppliers and prioritize Canadian products, goods and services.
“The United States has triggered an unprecedented and unnecessary trade war with its closest ally. In response, Vaughan has taken decisive action to protect Canadian jobs and our local economy by approving a procurement strategy that bans U.S suppliers and prioritizes Canadian products, goods and services.
Vaughan is the first municipality in Ontario to ratify a policy that bans U.S. suppliers.
As Mayor, I am committed to doing everything in my power to stand up for Vaughan businesses and to safeguard our city’s economic future.”
QUICK FACTS
- On March 4, Vaughan Council unanimously approved City staff’s procurement strategy to prioritize Canadian goods and services at a Special Council Meeting that bans U.S. suppliers from bidding on municipal contracts.
- This report also authorizes the Mayor to direct staff to explore additional measures, as necessary, to ensure swift response in the future
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday that U.S. companies will be barred from bidding on roughly $30 billion in annual procurement contracts in the province.
- On Feb. 5, Mayor Del Duca introduced a Member’s Resolution (PDF) during the Committee of the Whole (Working Session) directing staff to report back to the Committee of the Whole (1) meeting by March 4 on a procurement strategy to prioritize buying Canadian in the wake of potential tariffs by the United States.
- On Feb. 1, United States President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14193 applying a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian products as defined by the Federal Register notice (to be determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security) and 10 per cent tariff on energy or energy resources, as defined in Executive Order 14156.
- On March 4, President Donald Trump imposed an across-the-board 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and a 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy.
- The City’s Economic Development department is committed to helping local businesses navigate challenges brought on by the recent threat of United States tariffs. For more information, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/tariffs.
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