Liberal MPP Michael Gravelle is disappointed his private member’s bill was defeated in the legislature today.
Bill 133, was defeated at 2nd reading today and if passed would have required that public bodies that purchase mass transit vehicles be considered eligible if they meet certain Canadian content conditions.
Gravelle said in a statement, he was disappointed the government turned down this opportunity to level the playing field in terms of purchases of mass transit vehicles in Ontario.
He called the decision shortsighted. He went on to say, “with Buy American policies becoming more prevalent and local content requirements almost becoming the norm in many other international jurisdictions, it was clear to me that the time had come to impose 60 percent Canadian content requirements on purchases of Ontario mass transit vehicles.”
Gravelle reiterates he’ll have to work with the government to find another way to see that Bombardier continues to have the opportunity to bid competitively for future mass transit expansion.
