The Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) is taking a stand in response to the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States, passing a motion to prioritize the procurement of Canadian products whenever possible.
At its regular meeting on March 18, the board unanimously approved a motion put forward by Vice-Chair Jan Johnstone, emphasizing support for domestic industries and economic stability. The motion directs BWDSB to evaluate and implement measures to prioritize Canadian products and to transition away from purchasing from American suppliers, as defined by Supply Ontario, where feasible.
Additionally, the board will send a letter to Ontario’s Minister of Education, urging the province to adopt similar procurement measures.
“As publicly elected representatives, we have a duty as trustees to show leadership in our communities by standing up and mobilizing our support during difficult times,” said Johnstone.
Board Chair Jane Thomson noted that while BWDSB already prioritizes domestic purchasing, the current trade climate makes it even more important to support local businesses and Canadian industries.
The decision aligns with a broader movement across various sectors in Canada advocating for increased reliance on domestic goods and services in response to trade uncertainty with the U.S.