Province firm on free trade, protectionist policies: Helwer
The province of Manitoba will not implement policies or practices that give unfair preference to Manitoba bidders, Manitoba’s minister responsible for procurement said March 9.
Reg Helwer, Minster of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services, told a lunch-time webinar hosted by the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, that the provincial government will stand firm against protectionist policies, such as those seen in Saskatchewan procurement practices in recent years.
Helwer was asked by Chamber President Chuck Davidson if the province would engage in more “buy local” practices, including shifting from a practice of lowest-bid awards to one that looks at the broader benefits of purchasing goods and services locally. Davidson pointed to Saskatchewan’s preferential buying practices as an example.
Manitoba has had lots of discussions with Saskatchewan about what it regards as practices that are trade barriers, Helwer responded. “We don’t do that.”
Manitoba is a signatory to a number of free trade agreements, including the Canadian free trade agreement that stipulates rules for open, transparent procurement practices, and the New West Partnership, an agreement among the four western provinces that seeks further elimination of trade barriers.
MHCA President Chris Lorenc welcomed the re-affirmation of the provincial government’s ardent support for free trade and vigilance against protectionism.
“We know Manitoba businesses can compete with the best – we don’t need preferential treatment in procurement policies locally – and that’s why we welcome companies from across Canada to bid here,” Lorenc said. “But we expect, in return, that borders remain open to our companies, as well.”
In 2020, as provinces opened economic recovery funding programs, Saskatchewan implemented preferential trade practices, including in its construction tenders and contract documents that gave provincial companies advantages.
Helwer stressed that Manitoba companies need access to bidding on procurement opportunities in other provinces and “to be shut out of these would be a detriment to businesses.”
He also told the webinar attendees that Manitoba is fully subscribed to its allotment under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, as of December, 2021.
Not all of the projects submitted to the federal government have received approval yet, but Manitoba is working with federal officials to see agreements finalized and funded, he noted.
