Canada will always be a strong advocate for Canadian businesses and workers and will continue to pursue policies that promote a sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, support job creation, and grow Canada’s middle class.

“When Canada trades, we lead with Canadian values, including democratic values, rules-based order, and fairness. Balanced procurement policies ensure that Canadian businesses and workers thrive in a resilient and inclusive global economy. Reciprocal procurement will send a strong signal to our trading partners that if they unfairly restrict Canadian businesses’ access to their procurement markets, they can expect to receive reciprocal treatment in the Canadian market—and we want Canadians’ input. We look forward to hearing from Canadians so we can incorporate their valuable input into the development and implementation of Canada’s reciprocal procurement policies.”

- Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

 “Canada is a trading nation. We value fairness, openness, and transparency in our trading relationships. Our government has fought long and hard to secure preferential trading relationships for Canadian businesses – and reciprocal procurement is a key part of any free and fair trading relationship. What we are saying today is that if you unfairly restrict Canadian businesses’ access to your procurement market, Canada will ensure you receive the same treatment here. This is about fairness and standing up for our workers and businesses.”

- Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

• The Government of Canada is one of the largest public buyers of goods and services in the country, and procurement policy is a fundamental lever to achieve social and economic objectives.

• Through its free trade agreements and its adhesion to the World Trade Organization’s plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement, Canada seeks to secure new government procurement opportunities in foreign markets in exchange for guaranteed access to the Canadian procurement market.

• While Canada generally allows foreign suppliers to bid on federal procurement opportunities whether or not a trade agreement applies, some countries place restrictions on Canadian suppliers’ access to their procurement markets.

• Budget 2021 announced the government’s intent to level the playing field and ensure that Canada procures only from trading partners that offer reciprocal access to their procurement markets.

Related products

• Share your views: Consultation on reciprocal procurement policies in Canada

Associated links

• Creating jobs and growth (Budget 2021)
• Government procurement
• Department of Finance Canada

Alice Hansen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
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