Greater Sudbury mandates 90% Canadian workforce for contracts

Greater Sudbury is changing its purchasing rules. The city will now require companies that provide goods and services to have an office in Canada. Additionally, at least 90 percent of their employees must be Canadian. This decision was made at a city council meeting led by Mayor Paul Lefebvre. The motion received unanimous approval. The change comes as two U.S. companies are competing to operate a $200 million arena planned for downtown Greater Sudbury. Mayor Lefebvre emphasized the importance of supporting the local economy amid ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. "We have to make sure that whoever bids, anything that we do, is Canada first," he said. The two bidding companies will be informed about the new requirements. If the companies cannot meet these criteria, the council will explore other options. Lefebvre is confident that this won't delay the arena's management, which is set to open in 2028. He stated, "We have one chance to do this right... but if they don't fit, we will try to get that expertise in other ways." This move by Greater Sudbury reflects a growing trend among municipalities in northeastern Ontario. Many cities are looking to update their procurement policies to help protect Canadian businesses during the ongoing trade conflict with the U.S.