Whereas local governments play a critical role in local economic development and can strengthen Canadian industries by prioritizing domestic procurement of goods and services; And whereas reviewing and adapting local government procurement policies to prioritize Canadian products and services can support local businesses, enhance economic resilience, and mitigate the risks associated with international trade disruptions: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial and federal governments to support a Canada-first local government procurement strategy by facilitating local and domestic sourcing opportunities, encouraging local governments to review their procurement practices, and providing policy and financial support to strengthen Canadian supply chains.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The Province is working to strengthen and develop regional sources of goods and products, available to local governments and other entities, through initiatives such as its own procurement plan as well as by diversifying and growing export markets, including developing go-to-market strategies for international and inter-provincial trade, tackling obstacles to export growth, and supporting small and medium businesses in expanding their markets. The Province is supporting supply chains and fostering greater coordination within the transportation trade network through the Goods Movement Action Plan. While local governments are required to meet applicable trade laws, recognizing the autonomy of local governments, the Province is not prescriptive around their procurement policies, and local governments are empowered to review their procurement practices in the context of current laws. In spring 2025, UBCM commissioned a legal report that outlines general information for local governments to consider when making amendments to their procurement policies in response to tariffs imposed by the United States. Local governments can use BC Bid to support seeking qualified suppliers and contractors. Local government projects with senior government funding are subject to provincial and federal program policies. The Government of Canada introduced the Buy Canadian Policy in September 2025 to mandate Canadian content in federal procurements for construction and defence projects and is anticipated to extend this policy to future infrastructure funding programs that are applicable. The Province will consider the needs of local governments in negotiations of future bilateral programs. The Province recognizes both the importance of supporting local, regional, and national suppliers, and the challenges of a prescriptively applied policy on local government costs and timelines, where for certain products, the cost, logistics, and availability challenges of sourcing these products from within Canada is currently prohibitive.