Eren Yoruk
Kitchener, ON – The City of Kitchener has brought local businesses together with federal and provincial procurement experts through a two-day “Buy Canada–Buy Ontario” initiative at Kitchener City Hall.
The sessions aimed to help businesses access an estimated $300 billion in annual government procurement opportunities amid growing international trade challenges, according to Senator Sandra Pupatello.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said local companies need the information and resources to compete for government contracts at all levels.
“It’s really all about making sure that businesses have the information they need to compete on business opportunities, whether they’re at the local, provincial, or national level,” Vrbanovic said.
Pupatello said businesses outside major administrative centres may overlook opportunities to supply governments with goods and services.
“If you don’t live in a capital region, you don’t tend to think of what the government buys that you can actually offer,” she said, encouraging local suppliers to explore public-sector contracts.
With tariffs creating challenges for traditional manufacturing sectors, the initiative focused on helping local businesses identify new opportunities through government procurement.
