The Ford government is set to introduce new legislation this Thursday that would require Ontario’s $30-billion public sector procurement system to prioritize Ontario-made goods and services, a move the province says is needed to defend local workers and manufacturers from rising U.S. protectionism under President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs.
Called the Buy Ontario Act, the bill would mandate that provincial ministries, agencies, Crown corporations, and the broader public sector, including municipalities, contractors, and subcontractors, favour Ontario suppliers first, and Canadian vendors second.
The government says the rules would apply to everything from lumber and steel to the vehicles and equipment used in the construction of highways, schools, transit systems, homes, and hospitals.