QUEEN’S PARK – The second reading of MPP Michael Gravelle’s Private Members Bill was defeated in the Legislature. “I am very disappointed that my Private Members Bill 133 (Buy in Canada Mass Transit Vehicles Act) was defeated at 2nd reading in the Legislature today. For the government to turn down this opportunity to level the playing field in terms of purchases of mass transit vehicles in Ontario is shortsighted and will continue to make it a significant challenge for Ontario manufacturers like Bombardier to successfully win contracts in the Province.”
“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 per cent Canadian content requirements on purchases of Ontario mass transit vehicles. Unfortunately, the provincial government did not support my Bill, which means that we’ll have to find another way to see that Bombardier continues to have the opportunity to bid competitively for future mass transit expansion in Ontario,” said Gravelle.
Gravelle finished by stating, “I would like to thank my Liberal colleagues, the Official Opposition and the Independent Members who supported my legislation. While we were not successful today, the fight isn’t over and I will continue to do whatever I can to see Bombardier succeed in the future.”
