Brantford is taking steps to bolster its economic resilience as newly imposed U.S. tariffs place additional pressure on local businesses.
The City Council will convene a Committee of the Whole meeting tomorrow to discuss a resolution introduced by Councillor Rose Sicoli, aiming to revise the City’s Purchasing Policy with a focus on supporting Canadian businesses.
The 25% tariff on various Canadian imports has prompted Councillor Sicoli to advocate for a “Canada-First” procurement approach.
Her resolution seeks to enhance local vendor participation and ensure municipal spending provides direct economic benefits to the community.
“As we navigate the impacts of these tariffs, we need to take every possible step to protect Brantford’s economy,” said Councillor Sicoli.
“This policy review will ensure that our procurement strategy not only reflects the principles of fairness and transparency but also prioritizes our local businesses and workers.”
The proposed review will assess internal spending limits, the City’s approved vendor list, and explore new strategies to increase local business participation while ensuring compliance with trade agreements.
Mayor Kevin Davis has underscored the urgency of the situation, maintaining communication with Brantford’s major employers and working alongside the Big City Mayors’ Caucus to mitigate the economic repercussions of the tariffs.
Last month, Mayor Davis established the Municipal Working Group on Trade and Procurement to evaluate the impact of U.S. tariffs and formulate a municipal response.
The Working Group’s findings have already resulted in key recommendations, including advocating for local businesses in trade discussions, implementing a “Buy Canadian” approach, and fortifying economic resilience through municipal purchasing policies.
City officials hope that by adjusting procurement strategies, Brantford can support its businesses and workers during this period of economic uncertainty while reinforcing the local economy against external trade disruptions.
The Council’s decision on the resolution is expected to have long-term implications for Brantford’s procurement policies and economic strategy.
