Canada - U.S. Agreement on "Buy American"

February 16, 2010

On February 12, 2010, Canada and the United States signed an agreement that will allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects financed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This agreement includes both short-term provisions and long-term components.

Thanks to FCM's work, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) has confirmed that the long-term components do not involve the forced opening of either U.S. or Canadian municipal procurement decisions to cross-border bidding.  However, in the short-term (until the U.S. stimulus program expires on September 30, 2011)  some Canadian municipalities will be subject to opening procurement projects to cross-border bidding for construction-related projects valued at $8.5 Million and above.  The specific municipalities, and which functional areas are, included in this temporary opening have not been announced yet.   

FCM and SUMA will continue to monitor the developments of this agreement and provide information to our members as it arises.  For more information, visit the DFAIT website.