Bob Mackin
Vancouver city council unanimously voted Feb. 11 to create a buy local/buy Canadian plan to counter tariffs threatened by Donald Trump.
“I believe it’s more important than ever before that Vancouverites work together during this uncertain time to ensure that our city remains resilient in an unpredictable trade environment,” said Mayor Ken Sim at a special council meeting. “We need to develop a strategic response that prioritizes Vancouver’s local businesses and economy while supporting Canadian industry as a whole.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office in 2018 with U.S. President Donald Trump. (FIFA).
But, was it all for show?
The city does very little business with U.S. suppliers. The 2023 procurement report said 95% of city hall’s 622 vendors are Canadian, of which 492 are based in British Columbia.
“Most of what we purchase from the States is not actually product,” city manager Paul Mochrie told the meeting. “It’s things like software. So we have not done the analysis of alternatives.”
Moreover, the city is legally bound to increase spending with certain U.S.-based corporations.
During a freedom of information adjudication, theBreaker.news obtained a copy of the host city agreement for FIFA World Cup 26. It requires Vancouver to give preferential treatment to FIFA’s “commercial affiliates” and even buy their products.
Not one of FIFA’s seven partners, seven World Cup sponsors and three World Cup supporters is Canadian.
FIFA counts U.S.-based partners Coca-Cola and Visa, sponsors Bank of America, Frito-Lay, McDonald’s and Verizon and supporters Home Depot, Rock-It Cargo and Valvoline.
Others include oil giant Aramco (Saudi Arabia), Qatar Airways, Lenovo computers (China) and Hyundai-Kia motors (South Korea).
The host city contract requires Vancouver to integrate FIFA’s commercial affiliates at host city events, source goods and services from the commercial affiliates wherever possible and protect their brands from ambush marketing.
Vancouver is one of 16 host cities for FIFA World Cup 26. Seven matches are scheduled for B.C. Place Stadium from June 13-July 7, 2026. Hastings Park will host the tournament-long Fan Festival.
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