Mayor Buchanan calls for ‘Buy Local’ policy in response to US tarrifs

Mayor Linda Buchanan wants the City of North Vancouver to prioritize Canadian suppliers in its purchasing policies. In a motion, Buchanan calls for a review of the city’s sustainable purchasing policy to explore ways to incorporate a “Buy Local / Buy Canadian” framework in response to economic pressures from U.S. tariffs.

“The City of North Vancouver is a significant purchaser of goods and services, yet our current Sustainable Purchasing Policy does not provide preferential treatment for domestic suppliers,” her motion states. “It is imperative that we take decisive action to protect our local economy from external trade pressures.”

If approved, the motion would direct city staff to assess trade agreement exposure and identify opportunities to update purchasing policies in favor of Canadian products and services. Staff would also be tasked with streamlining local regulations to ensure the city can respond swiftly to economic threats such as tariffs and supply chain disruptions.

A key component of the proposal is the establishment of an Internal Roundtable, which would coordinate the city’s response to trade challenges. The roundtable would explore potential regulatory changes, such as adjusting the business licensing regime to enable companies to expand operations under a “split-license” mechanism, reducing bureaucratic hurdles during economic uncertainty.

Buchanan also advocates for a Buy Local / Buy Canadian campaign and local business organizations, including the Lower Lonsdale Business Improvement Area, North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The campaign would draw on the successful “Support Local BC” model to promote North Vancouver businesses and encourage consumers to prioritize Canadian-made goods.

Beyond local efforts, the motion calls for regional coordination. Staff would work with other Metro Vancouver municipalities to amplify their economic influence while also engaging with Invest Vancouver to attract foreign investment from markets beyond the U.S.