Toronto reviewing procurement policies as part of U.S. tariff response plan [Video]

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has instructed city staff to co-ordinate with federal and provincial governments to respond to looming U.S. tariffs with a plan that includes a review of the city’s procurement policies.

Toronto’s action plan will also include a buy-Canadian initiative to prioritize local goods and services, Chow said Monday.

“Everything is on the table, and it’s clear when I instructed the city manager that he would be looking at all contracts, all procurement policies,” she said.

“We do have a $78-billion budget where we buy our food for kids’ program, for shelters, for child-care centres, in every aspect of how the city is operated. It matters. It creates jobs, local jobs. It matters where we buy whatever we have because it’s a huge budget, it’s a huge economy.”

Chow said she is convening a team of largest employers and labour leaders to provide advice and help protect sectors of the …