Ontario Introduces Buy Ontario Act to Prioritize Local Goods and Protect Provincial Jobs
Proposed legislation would require public sector procurement to favour Ontario-made goods and services
The Ontario government is moving ahead with major new legislation aimed at strengthening the province’s economic security and shielding workers from ongoing global trade volatility. The Buy Ontario Act, 2025, expected to be introduced at Queen’s Park later today, would require public sector organizations — including municipalities, agencies, and contractors — to prioritize Ontario-made goods and services when spending provincial tax dollars.
The move is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to protect the province’s workforce and industrial base as U.S. tariffs continue to disrupt supply chains and increase economic uncertainty. According to the government, prioritizing local procurement is essential to building a more competitive, resilient, and self-reliant economy, especially as Ontario undertakes its more than $220-billion infrastructure plan, the largest in Canadian history.
Government Framing Legislation as a Direct Response to U.S. Tariffs
Each year, the Ontario government spends over $30 billion on procurement. Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Stephen Crawford emphasized that the new legislation ensures as much of that spending as possible supports Ontario workers and businesses.
The proposed legislation would require public entities to favour Ontario goods and services first, followed by Canadian suppliers, while still maintaining fair pricing and avoiding project delays.
Minister Crawford called the policy a direct countermeasure to the economic pressures created by President Trump’s tariffs, noting the province’s obligation to defend its manufacturing base and keep jobs in Ontario.
Protecting jobs.
Protecting workers.
Protecting Ontario. pic.twitter.com/XDWZJk2fxK
— Stephen Crawford (@stcrawford2) November 20, 2025
Strengthening Ontario’s Domestic Industrial Capacity
Under the Buy Ontario framework, the province would be empowered to:
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Mandate that public bodies prioritize Ontario (and then Canadian) goods and services.
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Enforce procurement requirements across vendors, contractors, and subcontractors.
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Issue penalties for non-compliance, including fines, holdbacks, performance restrictions, or barring companies from future procurement.
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Maintain flexibility to procure internationally only when Ontario or Canadian goods are unavailable at reasonable cost or within required timeframes.
The province is also moving to rebuild and expand local supply chains. That includes creating vetted vendor lists of Ontario and Canadian suppliers so they can be included in major construction and procurement processes.
A Boost for Transit, Manufacturing, and Infrastructure Projects
The government highlighted its recent collaboration with the City of Toronto and the federal government on new Toronto Transit Commission Line 2 subway cars being built at Alstom in Thunder Bay — an example of how local procurement can support Ontario workers while maintaining competitiveness.
Acting Minister of Infrastructure Todd McCarthy said that as Ontario builds transit systems, hospitals, highways, schools, and homes, prioritizing Ontario-made materials such as steel, forestry products, and manufacturing components will help maintain and grow employment across critical sectors.
Industry Organizations Express Support
Leaders across infrastructure, manufacturing, transit, and supply chain sectors voiced strong support for the Buy Ontario Act. Organizations including Infrastructure Ontario, Metrolinx, Supply Ontario, and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) said the legislation will strengthen local supply chains, create long-term employment, and help manufacturers remain competitive amid shifting global trade dynamics.
CME noted that prioritizing Ontario-made goods will bolster the province’s manufacturing sector, safeguard jobs, and stimulate growth across the province.
Building a More Self-Reliant Ontario Economy
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli highlighted that the Buy Ontario Act will be a cornerstone of the province’s long-term economic strategy as Ontario continues to attract investment, grow its industrial footprint, and stabilize supply chains.
The proposed legislation also includes updates to condominium consumer protection rules and expanded authority for safety-related signage near school zones under the Highway Traffic Act.
If passed, the Buy Ontario Act will mark one of the most significant shifts in public-sector procurement policy in Ontario’s history, aligning government spending with the province’s economic protection and job-creation strategy.
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