A Canadian senator is inviting Sarnia-Lambton business leaders to Windsor next week, for an information session on the federal "Buy Canadian" policy.
Sandra Pupatello is collaborating with chambers of commerce in Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent, Windsor-Essex, as well as WEtech Alliance, and the Construction Association to host sessions focused on unlocking opportunities available through the new policy.
"The federal government, and all other levels, they spend about $300 billion a year in contracts, and there's no reason we shouldn't get a part of it," said Pupatello. "Because our region is harder hit than most, given the trade war with the U.S., given the changes in the auto sector, etcetera, we really need to find every opportunity that our companies can have to do business."
The investment of nearly $186 million for the new policy was announced last November.
The sessions aim to provide business leaders, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and suppliers with insights into how the federal procurement strategy prioritizes Canadian suppliers, Canadian-made materials, and domestic production.
Pupatello, a former MP and MPP in Windsor, said they want to help small and medium sized businesses better position themselves for federal contracts.
"In particular, the sectors that they're working on, that the feds are looking to include local content, [include] infrastructure and construction, defence and security, manufacturing, transportation, information [and] communications technology, health and pharmaceuticals, professional and technical services and producers of Canadian materials. So, all of those sectors have an opportunity," Pupatello said.
Officials will be there from all of the sectors to educate businesses on what they have to do in terms of registering, and getting information to see how they can be in that procurement chain.
Pupatello asks businesses to RSVP by 5 p.m. on Friday May 15 by emailing her at Sandra.Pupatello@sen.parl.gc.ca
"The event is Thursday, May 21, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Ciociaro Club in Windsor, which isn't too far to go if you're coming in from the Sarnia-Lambton area. Hopefully, a lot closer than getting up to Ottawa," she said.
Pupatello said you can also RSVP by calling the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce or Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu's office.
