North Cowichan has imposed a journey ban on its workers going to the U.S. for conferences and coaching till the commerce dispute between Canada and the U.S. is over.
As nicely, at its assembly on Could 7, council directed employees to amend North Cowichan’s procurement coverage and add new provisions to encourage employees to buy regionally, the place potential, fairly than shopping for supplies from the U.S. to cut back the municipality’s reliance on imported items and providers from the U.S. which can be topic to tariffs.
George Farcas, North Cowichan’s common supervisor of planning, growth and group providers, stated in a report that purchasing regionally when potential will cut back the municipality’s bills and display its dedication to supporting Canada’s pursuits in the course of the commerce dispute.
Farcas stated the current imposition of U.S. tariffs on Canadian items and providers and the resultant Canadian counter-tariffs have vital implications for the Canadian financial system, and will increase prices for Canadian shoppers.
“These challenges additionally instantly have an effect on North Cowichan,” he stated.
“Particularly, the elevated prices of imported items and providers will pressure municipal budgets, probably resulting in larger taxes or decreased providers.”
Farcas identified, nonetheless, that the majority items and providers bought by North Cowichan are already from native suppliers, significantly for items and providers valued beneath $75,000.
However he stated amending North Cowichan’s procurement coverage to direct employees to purchase regionally when potential permits North Cowichan to indicate help for the “Purchase Canada” initiative.
“Moreover, it demonstrates help for native corporations and suppliers at this significant time,” he stated.
However Coun. Bruce Findlay stated he wouldn’t vote for the movement.
“I feel it’s incredible that we’re shopping for native as a lot as we will, however I don’t suppose we must always handcuff ourselves simply because now we have a neighborhood product that may be out there whereas one thing a bit of additional off is cheaper,” he stated.
“Our job is to be fiscally accountable as potential for our residents, whether or not meaning we’re shopping for in Nanaimo or Nantucket. To me it is a little bit of advantage signalling.”
Findlay additionally stated he’s additionally not in favour of imposing a ban on sending employees to conferences and coaching within the U.S.
“I feel if there’s a convention that’s vital to our employees and if it’s in Vegas, then it’s in Vegas so we ought to be sending our individuals to Vegas for that convention,” he stated.
The movement handed, with Findlay and Coun. Tek Manhas opposed.
Different native governments within the Cowichan Valley have additionally taken related steps in response to the continued commerce battle with the U.S.
In March, the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s board unanimously voted for the district to discover choices to purchase services from Canadian sources or from different nations as an alternative of from the U.S.
As nicely in March, the Metropolis of Duncan determined to look to Canadian sources to offer the municipality with new assortment carts for rubbish, recycling and organics for when the brand new totally automated-garbage assortment begins this spring as an alternative of American producers, citing the fiscal uncertainty attributable to the tariffs.
