Mayor Vrbanovic proposes ‘buy Canadian’ plan for City of Kitchener

Mayors push to break down inter-provincial trade barriers, but they’re going to need help. CTV’s Jeff Pickel explains.

After a week filled with meetings with other Canadian big city mayors, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic has put forward a notice of motion supporting a Team Canada approach.

He said the number one goal is avoid tariffs altogether but also believes Canadian cities should prepare for the possibility that it might happen.

“A priority is also looking at what can we do domestically in terms of buying Canadian, buying local and supporting Canadian businesses,” Vrbanovic told CTV News,

On Thursday, he joined the Big City Mayors’ Caucus (BCMC) in Ottawa for a series of meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other dignitaries.

According to the notice of motion filed with the City of Kitchener, Vrbanovic believes the following should be done:

• Where it is legally permissible for the municipality to pursue a Buy Canadian preference in the procurement of goods and services
• Support the elimination of inter-provincial trade barriers and the diversification of trading partners globally
• Support the federal, provincial and territorial governments in its Team Canada approach to trade negotiations with the United States

When it comes to buying Canadian, Vrbanovic said international trade agreements along with federal and provincial policy may limit that ability.

“Really that’s where we’re going to need direction from our federal and provincial partners in terms of what is the Team Canada approach in terms of dealing with this, particularly if tariffs get implemented,” said Vrbanovic.

The concept is supported by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities who met in Ottawa earlier this week.

“First, we must prioritize local sourcing of Canadian made products wherever possible, with billions spent annually on infrastructure, equipment and services, cities can create demand for Canadian steel, concrete and technology, boosting and bolstering our domestic industries while reducing our dependance on tariff imports,” said John Morgan, current chair of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus, and mayor of London, Ont.

Mayor Vrbanovic’s notice of motion will go before council next Monday.