Recovery Act to Provide Opportunities for Langley Business

February 05, 2010

Canada and U.S. reach agreement on Buy American
 
Our government has successfully negotiated an agreement with the Obama Administration that will allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects financed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

“Langley businesses who desire to compete in the US infrastructure marketplace will now have the opportunity to do so, and that’s great news,” says Langley MP Mark Warawa.

Canadian suppliers will have access to state and local public works projects under the Recovery Act in a range of areas, including programs of the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency.  

“We have also agreed to establish a fast-track consultation process should similar Buy American provisions be applied to future funding programs,” says Warawa of the agreement that was announced today by International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.

 “The agreement is win-win for businesses and workers on both sides of the border”, adds Warawa.  “It also grants mutual access to state and provincial/territorial procurement opportunities under the WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). This too will help create jobs, and it sets an important precedent for Canada because it recognizes the integrated nature of our two economies.”
 
Looking ahead to further increasing opportunities over the long-term, Canada and the U.S. have also agreed to discuss a comprehensive, permanent agreement on reciprocal access to procurement markets at the state and provincial/territorial and local levels.

"I am proud of our Prime Minister...he is a man of principal and is respected around the world. This agreement, that will be good for Canadians, is the result of Harper's reputation, hard work, persistence and the respect shown by both governments," says Warawa. 

“Preserving and creating jobs is our Government’s top priority.  Our Government stood up for Canadian businesses and workers in resolving this issue with our American partners.”