Pillar calls for London to prioritize non-profit business model in new procurement policy

London City Hall, Jan. 2. 2025 (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)

In the wake of the economic upheaval of a trade war, the city has begun a procurement review, which provides a perfect opportunity to support local businesses, non-profits, and manufacturers.

The Pillar Non-Profit Network has approached the city’s director of financial services in hopes of supporting the vetting process for companies awarded contracts help support the broader community, while also supporting the common good over the lowest possible price.

According to Pillar, "The current emphasis on the lowest price, rather than overall social impact, creates barriers for the nonprofit sector in accessing procurement opportunities."

The network has asked the city to prioritize the nonprofit business model, as well as supporting other local producers.

The current policy prioritizes “the best value” in the purchase of goods or contracting services. Stipulations in the procurement process hope to consider environmental benefits, but do not provide substantial considerations for locally produced or supported goods and services.

In early March, London Mayor Josh Morgan launched an economic task force aimed at protecting local jobs and strengthening the economy in the face of U.S. tariffs.

In a statement to CTV News, Deputy City Manager of Finance Supports Anna Lisa Barbon said, “At present, the majority of vendors that the City conducts business with are located within Canada. Our current Procurement of Goods and Services Policy has a guiding principle that ‘procurement decisions will be made using a competitive process that is open, transparent, and fair.‘”

The city has committed to prioritizing Canadian vendors in it’s new procurement policy, which is currently under review.

- with files from CTV News London’s Reta Ismail