Ont. to fight against any state with 'Buy American' provisions

author-image
Meeshika Sharma
New Update
NULL

Ontario is all set to introduce a bill allowing it to retaliate against any state that adopts Buy American provisions, then plans to start a national conversation with other provinces about measures to punish new cases of procurement protectionism.publive-image

Premier Kathleen Wynne shared details of the move in an interview with The Canadian Press. Wynne said the move was inspired by a recent infrastructure bill from the state of New York.

She said her cabinet has examined legislation to be tabled when the legislature reconvenes later this month.

The planned bill would reduce procurement opportunities for states that adopt Buy American provisions, by allowing provincial officials to write regulations targeting individual states.

Advertisment

Wynne insisted the size of each punishment will be proportional to the size of the Buy American exclusion – no more because, she says, she wants to avoid triggering an escalating tit-for-tat that damages the economy.

She added, “But we have to stand up for Ontario businesses, and Ontario workers, and do that in a proportional way. … We are not going to role over.”

One Canada-U.S. trade expert based in Toronto said the move might not be as dramatic as it sounds. The reason: Ontario procurement already has numerous limits to competition, and is far more protectionist than advertised by its politicians.

 

canada-news ontario-news latest-canada-news
Advertisment