The threat of tariffs looms large, and we know that even the threat of tariffs was impacting supply chains and businesses across the country. As shoppers, we always try to be conscious of what we are buying, and whenever possible, prioritize local options. Now, more than ever before, is the time to purchase Canadian products first, or find Canadian alternatives. Canadian businesses started hurting when the threat of the US tariffs first began, and with small changes in our spending, we can remind them who we stand with.
Did you know that the City of Ottawa’s procurement policies already prioritize locally sourced goods and services, with approximately 94% of its annual procurement dollars spent on goods and services from the local community. This week, Councillors approved a plan for the City to do more, directing the Mayor and City staff to prepare an action plan for a more coordinated response.
This action plan includes: preparing economic forecasts, detailing the potential negative impacts of a trade war for Ottawa; updating the City’s procurement policies to ensure that they are flexible, allowing for the City to support the purchase of local, Canadian and non-American goods and services, wherever possible; for the Mayor to convene a meeting of local business leaders on a strategy to support and promote local products and businesses; and for the City of Ottawa to collaborate with the City of Gatineau, other levels of government, and representative business and trade organizations in efforts to create local supply chains for products and services currently purchased from American companies.
Beyond this, it is important to recognize that Ottawa’s economic engine is more than just the downtown core. We are one of the largest municipalities in the country, have localized, “independent” economies throughout Ottawa, and our city’s economy is more than just the sum of its parts.
To support this very important work, I received the backing of other Councillors for the plan to also include targeted measures to support our local economies in Kanata, the south end, and of course, here in Orléans; as well as measures to support Ottawa’s very substantial agricultural and rural economy.
There are now many websites, and resources to help us support Canadian businesses, and to more easily buy Canadian and buy local. Websites like MadeinCA.ca are a great place to start. While choosing one product over another may feel like a drop in the bucket, it does matter and sends a strong message that Canadians will not take bullying laying down. We are far tougher than that.
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