NDP leader wants to ban U.S. from procurement if Canada hit with tariffs

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Canada should bar American companies from all federal government procurement contracts if U.S. President Donald Trump hits the country with damaging tariffs.

Singh is meeting with unionized steelworkers in Sault Ste. Marie today, where he’s laying out his “Buy Canadian” plan.

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He also says any funds Canada raises through retaliatory tariffs should be put toward supporting workers affected by U.S. tariffs.

Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland also pitched a “Buy Canadian” plan earlier this week, saying Ottawa should bar Americans from non-defence government procurement contracts in a tariff fight with Trump.

Trump has threatened to hit Canada with 25 per cent tariffs as soon as Feb. 1.

Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary Howard Lutnick told a Senate hearing on Wednesday that Canada could face emergency tariffs at first, with the prospect of more to come down the road.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2025.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press