Stiles calls for Buy Ontario First strategy to undo Ford’s jobs disaster

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles introduced a Buy Ontario First strategy to protect good jobs, and create opportunities in communities across the province:

The motion will implement a Buy Ontario First procurement plan that puts Ontario and Canadian companies first for government contracts and offers local job creation and training opportunities.

"We need bold and effective policies that give Ontarians a chance to get ahead and that is exactly what we will do with our Buy Ontario First strategy,” said Stiles.

“Ontario spends $30 billion each year on public procurement. Goods, services, infrastructure contracts that can create $30 billion worth of opportunities right here at home. Instead, we are seeing good jobs and taxpayer-funded government contracts go abroad, while Ontario faces a jobs disaster.

“800,000 Ontarians are out of work, and thousands more are losing their futures with every new headline about contracts and opportunities leaving our province. While Trump’s trade war targets our economy, Ford’s jobs disaster puts us further and further behind.

"With a strong Buy Ontario First mandate, we can strengthen our economy, support Ontario businesses, and most importantly, create good jobs to uplift families and workers. With this motion, we are giving the Ford government an opportunity – to say yes to strengthening Ontario, to creating good jobs, and putting Ontario first.”

BACKGROUND:

• Right now, the province does not require the consideration of local job creation and local training opportunities when awarding public contracts.
• The province recently awarded a $140 million contract for supply and installation of glass and aluminum at the Trillium Health Partners Hospital project to a U.S. company. The NDP has called to cancel these contracts.
• Under Ford’s leadership, the province continues to consider awarding contracts to foreign-owned companies for major public projects, including the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus Redevelopment, E.C. Row Expressway, and the Garden City Skyway.
• The Ontario NDP is calling for a Buy Ontario First procurement plan that prioritizes contracts for Ontario and Canadian businesses.
• This will offer local job creation and training for all public spending contracts issued by the Ontario government, ministries, agencies, municipalities, and other provincially funded institutions.