County of Essex moves towards “Canada First” buying policy

Essex County Civic Centre.

Essex County Council is moving towards a “Canada First” strategy when it comes to buying.

At last week’s county council meeting, director of financial services/treasurer Melissa Ryan presented a report that will help council and administration make decisions on procurement.

“Our residents are doing it now in the grocery stores. We need to send a message to our friends in Washington,” said Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara.

According to Ryan, and through a bylaw that was later passed, any purchases made with companies outside of Canada would be looked at more cautiously.

“While the full extent of price increases due to those tariffs has yet to be determined, county administration will continue to monitor the evolving situation and make recommendations and adjustments to the 2026 budget, if necessary,” said Ryan in her report.

Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue said he was in agreeance but wanted to make sure the county did not get itself into a similar situation as the City of Windsor. It was recently reported in the media that the city, although focusing on a similar “Canada First” buying strategy, had purchased over $250,000 in outdoor furniture from a U.S. company.

“I want to make sure that everything comes back to this council and we won’t find ourselves in a similar position,” said Prue.

Ryan assured Prue that anything over $500,000 would be required to have final authorization from county councillors and not county staff.

“I want to make sure this administration will carefully follow what this council intends to happen,” added Prue.

According to county CAO Sandra Zwiers, the guidelines that the county is going to set out is in line with both provincial and federal governments.

“I think it’s important that we point out that we are following all the laws and agreements of the province and the county while we do this,” said Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb.

It was noted that some components to ambulances as well as IT software may only be available in the United States. 

Both Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley and Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt commented that while the “Buy Canadian” initiative is a good idea, that if it is more expensive, it might not sit well with the local taxpayers.

“I suppose they will support this until it comes to a tax increase,” said Shepley.

County council also looked at, and will have more discussion on, whether or not to provide some tax relief to companies that are being affected by the United States tariffs.

County of Essex moves towards “Canada First” buying policy

By Fred Groves