FREDERICTON — New Brunswick’s government has issued a sweeping directive to public institutions to avoid purchasing American-made products when Canadian equivalents are available and will bar U.S. suppliers from large provincial contracts beginning this autumn.
Scope of the new procurement rules
Premier Susan Holt announced the measures Thursday, saying they are a direct response to a fresh set of U.S. tariffs and import bans that target a range of Canadian goods. Effective Oct. 1, the province will prohibit the awarding of government contracts worth more than $5 million to U.S. vendors. The premier said this threshold applies to roughly 90 per cent of contracts managed by Service New Brunswick.
The directive also asks public-sector purchasers to prefer Canadian suppliers when comparable products exist. The ban on U.S. products for large contracts is intended to both send a political message and to protect local industry and consumers from external trade pressures.
Premier frames move as pragmatic response
"We can’t control what President Trump does, but we can control what we do here in New Brunswick,"
The premier characterised the policy as a practical step the provincial government can take in the face of Washington's trade actions. She warned that tariffs and import restrictions ultimately raise costs for Canadians and often hit ordinary households in the wallet.
Options being explored beyond procurement
Ms. Holt said her government will also examine whether it can restrict certain privileges for U.S. citizens, including hunting and fishing licences and the ability to stake mining claims in the province. The premier described such measures as potential bargaining tools that could exert pressure on influential American stakeholders.
She suggested that redirecting access to licences could benefit New Brunswickers directly, noting the local fondness for moose licences and implying a reallocation could be popular among residents.
Support for affected businesses
Alongside procurement and licensing steps, the provincial government unveiled a package aimed at supporting businesses hurt by the trade dispute. The measures include compensation initiatives, training programs and employee-retention supports, as well as a market diversification strategy and an invigorated buy-local campaign.
Earlier this year, the province directed NB Liquor to remove U.S. alcohol from its shelves, matching moves taken by several other provinces. The current directive builds on that precedent and extends the commitment to broader public-sector purchasing.
What this means for schools, hospitals and municipalities
The new guidance affects public institutions at multiple levels — provincial departments, Crown corporations and agencies that oversee procurement. Service New Brunswick, which handles a large share of government contracts, will be responsible for implementing the new threshold and ensuring suppliers comply.
- Effective date for contract ban: Oct. 1
- Contract value threshold: $5 million
- Estimated coverage of contracts by Service New Brunswick: 90%
| Measure | Details |
|---|---|
| Procurement preference | Prefer Canadian products where substitutes exist |
| Large contract ban | No U.S. goods/services for contracts > $5M starting Oct. 1 |
| Other tools under review | Limits on U.S. hunting/fishing licences, mining claims |
Reactions and next steps
The premier framed the announcement as a defensive yet targeted policy to protect New Brunswick families and businesses. She called for consumers and institutions to choose Canadian products where they have the option, and she pledged that the province will help affected firms pivot to new markets.
Officials will need to spell out the procurement rules and exceptions, the timeline for implementation and how the government will determine whether a non-Canadian product has an acceptable Canadian alternative. Companies and procurement officers will be watching for guidance from Service New Brunswick on compliance and tendering processes.
As the policy is put into effect, its practical impact will depend on the availability of Canadian suppliers, potential legal considerations in trade and procurement law, and the reactions of businesses that rely on U.S. inputs. For now, the province is signalling a clear preference for domestic sourcing as the trade dispute with the United States unfolds.
