One day after ordering the removal of all American flags from municipally-owned buildings, Barrie’s mayor is making another move in response to the recently implemented tariffs by banning new procurement from U.S.-based vendors.
On Wednesday, Mayor Alex Nuttall announced he would utilize his ‘strong mayor powers’ to disallow new procurement contacts with vendors based south of the border and to remove all U.S.-based vendors from the City’s preferred vendor list for municipal projects.
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian goods and a lower 10 per cent levy on energy on Tuesday.
That same day, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a ban on U.S.-based companies participating in government procurement, stating the move would mean a loss of tens of billions of dollars in revenue for those American businesses.
“They only have President Trump to blame,” Ford declared. The premier also called on municipalities across the province to implement similar bans, which Nuttall quickly adopted, stating the decision “is in the best interest of the City of Barrie.”
“President Trump’s attack on Canada’s sovereignty with the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods and services is an attempt at threatening our jobs, the finances of families and attempting to take food off our tables,” stated Nuttall. “The decision to utilize the powers of the strong mayors is a step toward fighting back, protecting our economy, our taxpayers, and the integrity of our procurement processes.”
Powers granted under the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, allow mayors of large municipalities the ability to propose and pass bylaws with just one-third of councillors supporting them. They can also veto bylaws altogether, and hire and fire department heads.
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