Mayor Olivia Chow announced plans on Thursday to introduce a motion barring U.S. companies from bidding on City of Toronto contracts valued under $353,000, aligning the municipality with Canada’s retaliatory stance in the escalating trade war with the United States. Speaking at a transit-focused news conference, Chow underscored the policy as a commitment to prioritizing Canadian businesses amid tensions sparked by U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Chow highlighted the abundance of qualified local firms, asserting that Toronto’s procurement should bolster domestic economies. “We have a wealth of excellent options here,” she said, noting that while U.S.-based contracts constitute only 10% of the city’s $60 billion capital budget, the principle of buying Canadian outweighs reliance on foreign providers for smaller deals. The proposed threshold of $353,000 aims to redirect these opportunities exclusively to Canadian enterprises, reinforcing national solidarity.
The initiative mirrors Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s recent decision to exclude American firms from provincial procurement, a move Ford estimated would cost U.S. businesses billions in lost revenue, attributing the fallout to Trump’s policies. Ford has called on Ontario’s 444 municipalities to follow suit. Chow acknowledged potential cost increases from favoring Canadian contractors but emphasized the priority of principle over price. “Financial details are pending, but standing firm in our values is paramount,” she stated, framing the policy as part of a unified “Team Canada” response to U.S. pressure.