Hamilton commits to ‘buy local’ in future contracts ahead of new U.S. tariffs

The City of Hamilton is committing to ‘buying local’ from Canadian businesses, following a unanimous vote at a general issues committee meeting Wednesday.

Especially when it comes to steel, the committee passed amendments to the city’s procurement by-law ahead of new tariffs expected from The White House.

The city began updating its purchasing policies in March in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, but Wednesday’s report from the city adds new suggestions.

The committee agreed that all contracts moving forward should be awarded to local and Canadian businesses if possible.

If not, they’ll look to businesses outside of Canada and the United States, and only accept a contract with a U.S. business if there’s a risk to health and safety, or it’s demonstrably in the city’s best interest.

There is also a big focus on steel as Trump’s tariffs squeeze the local industry, but the city says that’s going to take more time to address.

Councillors are pushing city staff to prioritize using Hamilton steel and aluminum, and if that’s not possible, to look elsewhere in Ontario.

“The reality is, the uncertainty that’s being created in our community particularly, much more so than many other communities because we are in fact, the epicenter of the steel tariff challenge,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. “Of course we know there’s [something] new coming on [August] 1, that may further impact that.”

“Moving the kind of sentiment about buying local, about using every tool we can to support local businesses into actionable items is really important,” said Horwath.

The city is set to report back to council in the final quarter of this year with a plan to use more local steel.

This new policy for the city also comes just two days before the latest deadline in Trump’s tariff war.

Canada and the United States have until Friday to strike a deal, or The White house plans to up tariffs on many Canadian goods to 35 per cent.

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