Essex County supports removal of inter-prov trade barriers, examine “Buy Canadian Procurement” strategy

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

In reaction to potential looming US tariff threats, Council for the County of Essex passed a couple of motions to encourage items produced in the County of Essex can move without barriers freely across the country and support the region by looking into how it can buy Canadian.

At the February 19 meeting, Essex County Council supported two resolutions from LaSalle Deputy Mayor Mike Akpata in calling on the Provincial and Federal governments to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, and begin the process of examining the viability of beginning a “Buy Canadian Procurement strategy.”

Akpata brought the two matters forward as Notices of Motion at the February 5 meeting.

“Whereas the recent threat of the imposition of tariffs on Canadian production will have a substantial effect on items produced in the County of Essex, and that there has only been granted a 30-day reprieve before they may be implemented,” Akpata explained of bringing the motion forward regarding the urging of upper-tier levels of government to remove interprovincial trade barriers. “These tariffs were going to be applied by another country and therefore can be deemed as being external to the Province and the Country.”

Items produced, grown, and manufactured in Essex County are sent across Canada and are in many cases subject to these interprovincial barriers, Akpata added.

“In November, the world changed and it got a little more interesting,” Akpata said. “Our neighbour decided we are not friends any longer and has decided to poke us theoretically right in the eye.”

“My colleagues and I are here to simply say this, ‘we can’t fear what is coming externally, once we get our own house in order.’ Our house is from coast-to-coast,” Akpata said, adding local products subject to interprovincial costs are beyond Essex County’s control.

He wanted to hold Minister of Transport and International Trade, Anita Anand’s, feet to the fire with her promise to remove interprovincial trade barriers within 30-days, and to correct what he said is broken internally.

Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley wholeheartedly supported Akpata in the motion to urge upper-levels of government to remove interprovincial trade barriers. He would also like to see the federal government “remove its tariff – for lack of a better word – of the Carbon Tax on us.”

Akpata’s resolution will be sent to the federal governments, AMO, the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, and local MPs and MPPs for support, as suggested by Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara.

“I think it is important to gather momentum,” he said.

In terms of the motion to have the County of Essex begin the process to examine the viability of beginning a “Buy Canadian Procurement strategy,” part of it will ensure Canadian content is reviewed and percentages of Canadian content are clearly defined as part of the procurement.

In addition, the County of Essex will clearly define the term “Canadian Content” for the purposes of procurement of both goods and services.

Akpata spoke of local citizens using apps to see what products are truly Canadian before purchasing them.

“It is incumbent of us to do the same. I realize that we are good people, and therefore we will adhere to the trade agreements that we are bound by. This does not mean we cannot begin the process of looking at making a difference. We have to respond, and in true Canadian fashion, we respond by doing it the proper and appropriate way.”

He wanted the County of Essex to ensure it buys Canadian to ensure the organization puts its money back into the folks that give them the privilege of sitting around the County Council table, and to ensure it is done in a proper manner.

He wanted the definitions to be defined, so moving forward the County can understand what it is doing and ensure the decisions it makes positively affect the people they have the privilege to represent.

LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche noted it is understood municipal procurement is governed by the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement, the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, and the Municipal Act.

They put limitations on how municipalities can shop Canadian, Meloche said.

County Solicitor David Sudin noted County Administration, if directed, could return with a report outlining limits on funding limits on services and constructions.

In getting the County’s house in order on this, Meloche wondered if they should be petitioning the upper-levels of government to remove those other barriers as well to allow municipalities to shop Canadian as much as possible.

CAO Sandra Zwiers suggested engaging AMO on this as well for a collective voice and that the local municipalities collaborate, as well.

Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb suggested when the County produces a policy to ensure it is something the seven local municipalities can consider and use, as well.

Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue wanted to not only tell people to buy Canadian but what counties respect trade agreements and trade honestly and fairly.