“Buy America” policy for construction at Prince Rupert stopped
January 27, 2015
By CCE
“Buy America” policy for construction of Prince Rupert terminal stopped
The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC-ICCA) is pleased that the Canadian government has taken action in a situation where Canadian construction material suppliers would have been shut out from a large project in British Columbia.
On January 19, Ed Fast, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, signed an order under the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act to secure Canada’s right to prevent the U.S. applying Buy America provisions for purchasing materials for a new ferry terminal in Prince Rupert, B.C.
The terminal is owned by the Alaska Marine Highway System but sits on Canadian land.
Below is CISC’s press release issued on January 20:
(Markham, ON, January 20, 2015) The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC), the voice of the Canadian Steel industry, applauds the federal government’s efforts to fight Buy America on Canadian soil, and congratulates Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, for his leadership in championing Canadian sovereignty, jobs and the Canadian steel manufacturing sector.
A government order under the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (FEMA) was signed by Minister Fast on Jan 19 effectively securing Canada’s right to prevent compliance with the Buy America provisions for the Prince Rupert Ferry Terminal redevelopment project.
“Buy America provisions deny both countries’ companies and communities the clear benefits that arise from our integrated supply chain and our commitment to freer and more open trade. We call upon our American friends to join with us to end the harm such policies are doing within our shared North American economy” said Minister Fast in a media release announcing the order.
“This sends a strong message to our trading partners around the world that Canadians and the Canadian government will stand up to any threats to our sovereignty, our economy and Canadian jobs,” said Ed Whalen, President of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.
“The Canadian steel industry has been strongly advocating for free, fair and reciprocal trade and urges our trading partners to remove any protectionist barriers that negatively impact our open and competitive marketplace” added Mr. Whalen.
“We are proud of the leadership that our government has shown in defending Canadian interests,” remarked Tareq Ali, CISC Marketing & Communications Director. “We now call on provincial and municipal governments to level the playing field by passing reciprocal procurement legislation.”
