Carleton Place council took on current US/Canada trade challenges when they reviewed their procurement policy, last updated in 2017. Staff recommended excluding products or services from trade partners not acting in good faith with current trade agreements. Deputy Mayor Andrew Tennant wondered if that would mean spending more for certain high-ticket products if US suppliers were excluded.
Town Treasurer Trisa McConkey felt, based on historical purchases from the US, there would be little impact and any over-budget costs would still require council approval
Councilor Mark Hinton pointed to a major expenditure on the horizon that might see costs increased if US bidders were shut out.
Councilors approved the new policy, amending it to require council notification and approval if any purchase would cost 10% more than the lowest excluded bidder.
Story by Brian Turner