City of Surrey pulls $740,000 contract with U.S. supplier amid burgeoning trade war

The City of Surrey says it’s cancelled progress on a contract with a U.S. manufacturer amid the threat of tariffs on Canadian goods.

Mayor Brenda Locke announced Wednesday the withdrawal of a corporate report that included a proposed $740,000 contract for the manufacturing and delivery of eight mobile, towable bleachers primarily sourced from a U.S. company.

Locke tells 1130 NewsRadio that the city will be looking for another supplier.

“I think it’s incumbent on all of us on all levels of government to buy Canadian when we can. And in this case, there is an option to buy a Canadian bleachers. So we will be looking at that. But given the comments by the president of the United States, it is time that we absolutely support Canadian products,” said Locke.

She says the city only makes about 0.58 per cent of its purchases from the United States, but she says every purchase counts.

“It’s a message to the U.S. suppliers that their president has deeply hurt and offended Canadians. And I think it’s also a message to Canadians that we need to spend our money wisely and, wherever we can, buy Canadian products, and certainly do not buy U.S. products.”

A release from the city says it’s committed to fair competition, but the current trade environment necessitates a reevaluation to safeguard local and Canadian workers. It says staff are currently “reviewing procurement practices and will consider all available options given the current threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.”

Locke says the decision to pull the contract was unanimous.

“And we’re not always together on all of our issues, as you know, but on this issue, certainly, our entire council was on board.”

—With files from Amy Beeman