Buy Ontario legislation introduced at Queen’s Park

New Buy Ontario legislation is coming from the provincial government.

If passed, all public sector organizations, including municipalities, schools and hospitals, will be required to give Ontario firms priority in contracts before considering other Canadian companies.

Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, Stephen Crawford, says it is a move to protect the province’s businesses and workers, while responding to global economic challenges, such as the U.S. trade tariffs.

“That’s a massive opportunity.to support local businesses, and we’re making sure that opportunity stays right here in Ontario,” says Crafword.

Price matters, and getting the best value for our money is critical. But today, value means more than just cost. It means keeping public sector dollars in Ontario and across Canada.”

“When we choose goods and services from local suppliers, we create more work for Ontario manufacturers, more Ontario-made products, and more Ontario success stories. That’s a big win for everyone.”

Crawford notes that the province spends more than $30 billion procuring goods and services.

He says the proposed Buy Ontario Act ensures every possible dollar is spent in Ontario.

“When we choose goods and services from local suppliers, we create more work for Ontario manufacturers, more Ontario-made products, and more Ontario success stories. That’s a big win for everyone,” says Crawford.

There will still be provisions to purchase goods from outside the country.

In cases where something can not be obtained in Ontario or Canada at a reasonable cost or within a certain timeframe, access would be permitted from another country.

The province intends to establish vendor lists of Ontario and Canadian suppliers to assist the public sector with its infrastructure and procurement processes.

“As U.S. tariffs continue to undermine the global economy, prioritizing the procurement of Ontario-made goods, services, and products has never been more important,” says Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

“The Buy Ontario Act would serve as an important pillar in our government’s plan to protect Ontario, anchoring the province’s long-term economic prosperity by ensuring that domestic companies have more opportunities to grow, expand and create good-paying jobs for our workers.”

The new policy could be in place early in the new year.