Plans to build a new shade structure at a waterfront park in Elliot Lake, Ont., were made more complicated by an ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States.
After a lengthy debate on Monday night, the city’s council decided to go with a design from the American company Poligon for the $205,000 structure.
But it was not without some pushback.
“I don’t want to get into the trade war stuff, but I know a lot of places are getting away from going with this, buying stuff from the states,” said Elliot Lake Coun. Rick Bull.
Coun. Helen Lefebvre responded the work to build the structure would be subcontracted to a company called ABC Recreation, based in Paris, Ont.
“They’re from southern Ontario. A small community as well,” Lefebvre said. “So we are supporting another small community in Ontario.”
Like many small municipalities in Ontario, Elliot Lake uses a procurement system from the Canoe Procurement Group of Canada that acts as a one-stop shop for different builds and contracts municipalities might need.
Coun. Merrill Seidel wondered why the city didn’t put forward its own request for proposals on the project.
I’m disappointed, you know, and I’m almost ashamed to be a citizen of Elliot Lake, considering what they just did.– Richard Montegani
“Part of the public input was why we did not consult with local contractors to look at such a simple structure,” he said.
A city staff member said that if Elliot Lake were to go with its own request for proposals on the project, it would be a more lengthy and expensive process, and would require a design from an engineer.
Elliot Lake resident Richard Montegani said it was shortsighted for the city not to open the door to local options while Canada is in a trade war with the U.S.
“I’m disappointed, you know, and I’m almost ashamed to be a citizen of Elliot Lake, considering what they just did,” he said.
“They’re not thinking about being Canadian. It’s really shameful.”
Ultimately, Elliot Lake city council decided it would submit a separate tender for a $100,000 concrete pad needed to support the waterfront shade structure. That would go out to local suppliers.
Danny Whalen, president of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), said the “vast majority” of the 110 municipalities he represents are reviewing their current purchase agreements to buy Canadian as much as possible.
But Whalen, who also sits on Temiskaming Shores council, added it’s a difficult process, especially for smaller municipalities.
“Lots of the municipalities we represent are 3,000 and under population. So they don’t really have the resources and the staff resources to do a detailed review of all of their accounts,” he said.
The Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, for example, passed a motion earlier this month to buy Canadian first whenever possible.
On March 18, Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre is expected to provide an update on the city’s procurement process.
Two American companies — ASM Global and Global Spectrum Facility Management — have responded to a request for proposals to manage the city’s new arena and event centre.
