‘Buy Canadian’ policy takes effect, changing rules for federal procurement
By Canadian Press on December 16, 2025.
OTTAWA — The federal government’s ‘Buy Canadian’ policy took effect Tuesday and Ottawa says it will fundamentally change the way it purchases goods and services.
Announced earlier in the fall, the strategy is meant to ensure Canadian products and workers are prioritized in federal procurement decisions to help protect Canadian industries.
It applies to the government’s new major projects and housing offices, defence procurement, and community infrastructure projects funded by the federal government.
The first stage of the policy, which came into effect Tuesday, requires that contracts valued at $25 million or more prioritize Canadian businesses and materials. It’s expected to expand to cover all contracts valued at $5 million and more by the spring.
The policy also requires that Canadian steel, aluminum and wood products manufactured or processed in Canada be used in construction and defence projects requiring at least $250,000 in materials. It’s a measure to support industries hit hard by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war.
Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound said the federal government is “putting Canadian workers and industries first” and will help to ensure Canadian supply chains remain strong.
“This policy creates demand across the country, from steelworkers in Hamilton to aluminum producers in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean and lumber mills in La Tuque and Prince George, while giving clear advantages to suppliers who invest, innovate and produce here at home,” Lightbound said in a media statement.
“It’s a major step toward stronger supply chains, good jobs and a more resilient Canadian economy.”
In a social media post Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the approach will help the federal government “build Canadian” by becoming its own “best customer.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2025.
Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
14-13
After the failed procurements made by the Liberals over decades, I have little faith in their ability in procuring badly needed military kit!
The submarine purchase from the Brits, where against the advice of the Brits, left them in ocean water to rust out, while they got their act together to get them to Canada . . . in the end all 4 turned into bottomless money pits, to cancelling the badly needed replacements for the Sea Kings . . . to ignoring the worn out fleet of CF-18 Hornets, putting bandaids on them to keep them somewhat airworthy while waffling back and forth on the F-35 purchase, costing us many of the benefits of sharing in the manufacturing of parts of those aircraft in Canada ( which it appears Quebec seems to always get those contracts ) . . . which brings to mind the replacing of the aging Iltis jeeps which went on for years, until most dropped out of the bid, leaving only the Mercedes G Wagon in the process, so when the Afganistan ‘War’ came up . . . they sent our troops into that war with the Iltis jeep which was nothing more than an unamoured, dune buggy with a canvas top . . . their idea to protect the troops . . . putting Keflar matting on the floor boards . . . that method was used in Twin Hughey helicopters in the Vietnam war to protect pilots from gunfire from the ground . . . how well do you think that worked on a vehicle hitting an IED? Not well!
Forgive me if I do not have any faith with this Liberal government, the longterm Chretien-Trudeau Liberal government who puts Quebec first and the rest of us last, in making any procurements for the military! History has proven them to be unsuccessful in fulfilling this vital duty!
I fear just what type of aircraft we will end up with to replace our over-aged, worn out CF-18’s or how many years it will take for them to even make a decision.
The rest of our allies are preparing for another World War, and some say that will be in Europe and South Asia seas area, but others also believe a pre-emptive strike could be made on the US prior!
Canada can no longer depend on the US protecting us, and we should have never, ever expected this! We are defenseless against any major world power attack and I wonder if the US is attacked, who would help us if they are busy defending their own continent!
Many just do not care . . . that is one big problem . . . the ‘that will never happen’ ones who just are not paying attention! There is a reason NATO and the EU are building up their militaries!
We need the proper equipment for this task and the F-35 is the only fighter that meets those needs! The Gripen is a fine aircraft but is not a 5th generation, while China is at the end of some R&D for the 6th generation fighters and Russia is in R&D for the newest generation!
It really causes me to wonder if their actually is some agenda of giving up Canada to another entity that I am not aware of!
I do agree that we should be building more here in Canada 100%!