Haldimand County’s procurement strategy updated to prioritize Canadian vendors

Haldimand County has implemented a series of strategic amendments to its procurement policy to support a “buy-Canadian” approach and enhance the municipality’s economic resilience in the face of evolving international trade challenges.

These updates are designed to strengthen procurement processes by prioritizing Canadian suppliers wherever feasible within the parameters of existing trade agreement obligations. Key policy updates include:

• Increasing buying thresholds to provide more flexibility to target Canadian sources directly.
• Implementing a 10 per cent evaluation preference during bid evaluations for Canadian suppliers and Ontario businesses, as permitted by trade agreements.
• Adding new guidelines that direct processes to prioritize Canadian sources, guide contract terms, and highlight best practices.
• Establishing a system to strategically monitor trade changes to identify potential opportunities for additional buy-Canadian approaches. 

“Not only will these measures support our local economy through prioritizing domestic sources, but they will also ensure that Haldimand is best positioned to maintain the continuity of essential services amid ongoing trade uncertainty,” remarked Megan Jamieson, General Manager, Corporate and Social Services.

To best ensure all businesses have access to open procurement opportunities, Haldimand County continues to utilize Bids&Tenders, an online procurement platform that simplifies the bidding process for both suppliers and buyers, promoting transparency and accountability. Local businesses are encouraged to register on the platform to gain access to opportunities from multiple municipalities and public agencies across the province.

For more information on Haldimand County’s procurement process, visit haldimandcounty.ca/procurement.