Toronto uses U.S.-made water pipes as officials cite gaps in Canadian supply

Toronto is installing U.S.-made water pipes near Ontario's legislature because the specialized product was unavailable from Canadian manufacturers, city officials told CBC News in a report published November 5.

The city awarded a $17.7-million contract to North York-based Gio Crete Construction Ltd. to replace watermains beneath Queen's Park Crescent East. The company sourced the pipes from a manufacturer in West Virginia.

Sabrina Dipietro, Toronto's senior manager of purchasing client services, said the tender closed before the city's tariff response plan took effect. She said the contract would still have been open to international bidders because of its value, and the specialized pipe is not manufactured in Canada.

Ron Wells, president of United Steelworkers Local 1005 in Hamilton, said governments should use public purchasing to protect Canadian jobs. He acknowledged that some products are not made in Canada and called for stronger local steel supply. Councillor-elect Mike Layton said local production should be a priority, while acknowledging that some imported products may be needed to avoid delaying repairs.

Ontario's Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing reiterated that municipal purchasing should support Ontario workers and businesses under the Buy Ontario Act. Its spokesperson did not directly answer CBC's questions about the Toronto contract.