Mathyssen Introduces "Made In Canada" Legislation

OTTAWA –

Today, Irene Mathyssen (London Fanshawe) introduced legislation that will ensure that Canadian companies are given priority when the federal government makes purchases or acquires services.

The “Made in Canada” bill will require the government to purchase products or acquire services from Canadian companies or individuals. Exceptions are made if there are no Canadian bidders or if the procurement falls under international trade agreements.

“The continuing closures and layoffs in the manufacturing sector have battered our local economy and played havoc with workers, families and the community, says Mathyssen. “The Canadian government needs to take action to protect Canadian jobs. When we spend public dollars, we should spend them on products and services provided by Canadian workers. There are many London area companies that desperately need the work and local, Canadian companies should be the ones to benefit from government spending. As one example, I know employees at Ford Talbotville would be happy to build cars for the government fleet."

“I am so proud to introduce this bill,” says Mathyssen. “This bill will help build new markets for Canadian suppliers, strengthen sustainability and our environmental commitments, and encourage Canadian entrepreneurship. It will support sectors in crisis – including auto, steel and forestry –and replace the government’s piecemeal approach with a clear and consistent Buy Canada policy.”

“This bill will bring much needed money to our communities and provide the necessary investments needed for effective job creation and job protection. Conservatives have been unwilling to defend Canadian workers and industries and this legislation will help to reverse that. I am calling on my colleagues in the House of Commons to support this bill and give the Canadian economy the boost it needs.”

Hansard Record of the Introduction of C-392

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP)

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-392, An Act respecting the use of government procurements and transfers to promote economic development.

Mrs. Mathyssen: Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Windsor West for his support.

My made in Canada bill would require the government to purchase products or acquire services from Canadian companies or individuals. The workers I know at Ford Talbotville would love to build cars for the government fleet.

I am very proud to introduce this bill. It would create new markets for Canadian suppliers, strengthen sustainability and help us meet our environmental commitments and encourage Canadian entrepreneurship.

Daily announcements of closures and layoffs from across the country have played havoc with workers, families and communities. The Canadian government needs to take action to protect Canadian jobs.

New Democrats believe that Canadian communities should benefit from federal procurement. The current piecemeal approach should be replaced by a clear, transparent buy Canadian policy. Conservatives have been unwilling to defend Canadian workers and industry and this legislation would help to reverse that.

I am calling on my colleagues in the House of Commons to support this bill and give the Canadian economy and Canadian families the boost that they need.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

View or Download the "Made in Canada" Bill:

Attachment	Size
C-392_1-Made in Canada.pdf	60.18 KB