95% of City of Calgary contracts are with Canadian and non-American suppliers

The City of Calgary is preparing for a potential trade war between Canada and the U.S., but officials say the municipality is in a good spot.

As Calgary prepares for a possible trade war between Canada and the United States, the municipality appears to be in a good position should tariffs and countermeasures go into effect next week.

According to city officials, just five per cent of contracts and supplies come from the U.S. Work is already underway to source those products from local or non-American suppliers.

“We don’t know that (U.S. President Donald Trump) is actually going to impose these tariffs. Many things can happen between now and March 4,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek.

“It’s important to have a plan of what we’re going to do if they are imposed, but it’s also important to keep advocating for the fact that a strong trade relationship between U.S. and Canada is good for both of us.”

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Teams on major projects, such as the construction of the event centre, have already started looking for suppliers of steel and aluminum from non-U.S. countries.

City officials also say contracts are being awarded to multiple suppliers for things like water and wastewater chemicals.

The city is also streamlining the bidding process and eliminating all bid fees to submit a proposal for major Calgary projects.

Representatives from both the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Calgary Economic Development also spoke to councillors on Tuesday afternoon about the impact the potential trade war is already having on the business community.

Just the threat of potential tariffs is already taking its toll, business leaders said.

“What we’re hearing is just this incredible level of unease,” said Deborah Yedlin, the president and CEO of the Chamber.

“People had investment ideas, plans, and everybody’s on the sidelines. Whether you’re big or small, you’re just waiting. You’re waiting with the capital. You’re waiting for your investment,” she said.

City officials will provide a monthly update to councillors on potential supply chain issues starting in April.