The Ford government is introducing legislation to prioritize Ontario-made goods and services in the $30 billion the province spends each year in procurement. The “Buy Ontario Act” was tabled Thursday in response to the ongoing squeeze U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs are putting on the economy. CTV News has learned the bill will mandate that Ontario-made goods and services come first in the procurement process, with Canadian-made as a runner-up. The legislation would apply to all Ontario ministries, organizations, agencies, and the broader public sector. Municipalities, contractors, and subcontractors would also be covered. Breaking the rules could have consequences for public sector bodies and vendors, including fines. The government envisions using domestic lumber, steel, and vehicles in the construction of infrastructure like highways, transit, homes, schools, and hospitals. “We’re making sure that every possible procurement dollar that can be spent in Ontario is spent in Ontario, so we can protect our workers and build a more competitive, self-reliant and resilient economy,” Stephen Crawford, the minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, said in a news release. The legislation provides an option to look outside Canada for goods and services when a local option isn’t available at a ‘reasonable’ cost or timeframe. But the government stresses it’s making efforts to shore up Ontario production of what’s needed to meet the province’s needs. The “Buy Ontario Act” also proposes tweaks to the Highway Traffic Act to ensure the province can enforce the requirement for special signs where functioning speed cameras used to be. Speed cameras have been turned off for good since Nov. 14, with warning signs mandated in their place near schools. Signs with flashing lights must be added in time for the next school year. The Act would extend some provisions of the Protecting Condominium Owners’ Act for a year, though the government could not immediately explain its rationale.
