How a 'simple structure' in Elliot Lake, Ont., is raising questions about buying Canadian
CBC
Plans to build a new shade structure at a waterfront park in Elliot Lake, Ont., were made more complicated by an ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States.
After a lengthy debate on Monday night, the city's council decided to go with a design from an American company called Poligon for the $205,000 structure.
But it was not without some pushback.
"I don't want to get into the trade war stuff, but I know a lot of places are getting away from going with this, buying stuff from the States," said Elliot Lake Coun. Rick Bull.
Coun. Helen Lefebvre responded that the work to build the structure would be sub-contracted to a company called ABC Recreation, based in Paris, Ont.
"They're from southern Ontario. A small community as well," Lefebvre said. "So we are supporting another small community in Ontario."
Like many small municipalities in Ontario, Elliot Lake uses a procurement system from the Canoe Procurement Group of Canada which acts as a one-stop shop for different builds and contracts municipalities might need.
Coun. Merrill Seidel wondered why the city didn't put forward its own request for proposals on the project.
"Part of the public input was why we did not consult with local contractors to look at such a simple structure," he said.
A city staff member said that if Elliot Lake were to go with its own request for proposals on the project it would be a more lengthy and expensive process, and would require a design from an engineer.
Elliot Lake resident Richard Montegani said it was shortsighted for the city not to open the door to local options while Canada is in a trade war with the U.S.
"I'm disappointed, you know, and I'm almost ashamed to be a citizen of Elliot Lake, considering what they just did," he said.
"They're not thinking about being Canadian. "It's really shameful."
Ultimately, Elliot Lake city council decided it would submit a separate tender for a $100,000 concrete pad needed to support the waterfront shade structure. That would go out to local suppliers.
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