North Bay mayor and anti-Buy American campaigner Vic Fedeli is claiming victory.
In an international agreement announced Feb. 5, Canadian firms can now bid on American stimulus projects. In return, the provinces agree to allow U.S. companies to bid on Canadian contracts.
Fedeli said it means that North Bay companies can resume their business and export into the U.S. for municipal and state projects.
Last year, when the U.S. hung a “Made in U.S.A.” tag on all products that were part of their stimulus program, Fedeli wrote letters and hit the airwaves appealing to state governors, members of congress, senators and even President Barrick Obama to help repeal this restriction.
Fedeli provided examples of how companies from North Bay and from various U.S. communities enjoyed a reciprocal cross-border trade arrangement in bidding on municipal contracts.
“We didn't look at this as some international deal,” wrote Fedeli in his weekly e-newsletter, Feb. 8. “This was about getting orders back to Wabi Iron Works in Temiskaming Shores, and companies all throughout Northern Ontario. And that's good for North Bay.”
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