Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government says it will introduce legislation Thursday that would require all public-sector organizations to prioritize Ontario-made goods and services — and then Canadian suppliers — when making purchasing decisions.
The government will develop curated vendor lists of Ontario and Canadian suppliers for infrastructure projects and other procurement processes and the policy would allow procurement from outside Canada if Ontario or domestic options are unavailable at a reasonable price or within required timelines.
The proposed Buy Ontario Act would apply across the public sector, including ministries, municipalities, provincial agencies, and any contractors or subcontractors involved in publicly funded projects. The government says the measure is intended to strengthen local supply chains, protect jobs and ensure more provincial dollars stay in the province.
“It’s about using the public sector’s buying power to back businesses and create jobs in our own backyard,” Public and Business Service Delivery Minister Stephen Crawford said at a news conference in Toronto. He framed the legislation as a response to ongoing economic uncertainty, including U.S. tariffs impacting Ontario industries.
Crawford said the goal is to ensure “every possible procurement dollar that can be spent in Ontario remains in the province,” while still recognizing the need to secure competitive prices.
“Price matters and getting the best value for our money is critical,” he said. “But today, value means more than just cost. It means keeping public-sector dollars in Ontario and across Canada.”
If passed, the legislation would outline specific procurement rules requiring public bodies to first seek Ontario-made goods and services before expanding searches to suppliers elsewhere in Canada. It would also introduce compliance mechanisms — including possible fines, payment holdbacks or prohibitions on future bids — for vendors who do not meet requirements.
Thursday’s announcement comes one day after all provinces, territories and the federal government signed a new agreement aimed at easing interprovincial trade barriers. That agreement, taking effect next month, covers a wide range of non-food and non-alcohol products, including manufactured goods, tires and vehicles.