NDP- und Block-Abgeordnete sagen, dass die Regierung die „Buy Canadian“-Politik für den Via Rail-Vertrag durchsetzen sollte, um den Kauf neuer Züge von ausländischen Lieferanten zu verhindern – The Hill Times – The Hill Times
NDP- und Block-Abgeordnete sagen, dass die Regierung die „Buy Canadian“-Politik für den Via Rail-Vertrag durchsetzen sollte, um den Kauf neuer Züge von ausländischen Lieferanten zu verhindern – The Hill Times – The Hill Times
10 Kommentare
The upshot:
>Via Rail, the Crown corporation responsible for managing the national passenger rail service, has been running the process to replace its aging long-distance trains operating outside the Quebec City–Windsor corridor since 2024. The procurement was expected to move forward with a winning bidder early this year, but critics are arguing that since it predates the implementation of the Carney government’s Buy Canadian policy, there is a risk of billions of tax dollars flowing outside of the country.
I’d rather buy from Europe or Asia. Canadian companies really suck on this stuff and wind up costing way more for sub par equipment over and over again.
Wouldn’t this essentially mean handing the business to Bombardier? Is there another train manufacturer in Canada? Bombardier should be in the running but they should have to compete. Otherwise it’s just a handout to them.
Most train projects are usually from a consortium (e.g. Bombardier-Alstom) or made from an assembly of components coming from different locations. Same thing with cars or airplanes.
These MPs have no clue what they are talking about.
Have they even ever looked at the BoM (Bill of Material) of a train to see where the components were coming from? Their „grandstanding“ is as bad as Trump who wanted „Made in USA“ cars when there is no such thing due to highly-integrated markets.
For example: In the past, Via Rail purchased trains from Siemens Canada, a subsidiary of Siemens (a German company), while the trains were assembled in the United States. So….was that „Buy Canada“ since it was purchased from a Canadian company?
What does „Buy Canada“ means in that case? Like Apple with their „Designed in California“ but „Made in China“?
Besides, until we officially cancel the CUSMA agreement, we are not allowed to give preference to a Canadian company over an American one (this is not about military equipment but about civil equipment). So which one is it? Do we want free trade or not?
I’m all for purchasing from Canada as much as possible, but sometimes (as in this case) it is simply not possible.
“Buy Canadian” mandates are probably a CUSMA violation.
The DST was, or at least the USA was going to officially argue it. And they tend to win these cases in court. Look up past cases.
I imagine there’s grounds for excluding them on national security grounds but that could be challenged.
This is something I don’t see mentioned very often here.
*CUSMA is a double edged sword*
**We legally cannot exclude the USA(or show discrimination) except for whatever situations it’s allowed for in the agreement**
So at least some of the proposals I see mentioned or people criticizing Carney for not taking a harder stance come down to “can we legally do that?”
VIA Rail and Amtrak need to be allowed to cooperate on bespoke orders. The rolling stock they require for their long-distance routes are going to be one of a kind and built to order. Nobody comes out ahead if VIA and Amtrak both independently reinvent the wheel.
We 100% should buy rail equipment from countries with efficient factories and experienced suppliers who are familiar with modern railways. Not sole source everything to the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay
That’s dumb, we should have a ‚buy not american‘, we’re currently trying to diversify trade and that means making new friends, not becoming an island.
By all means support domestic rent seeking behavior and ensure our beleaguered consumer rail system is even more expensive and inefficient.
I can’t agree, Japan and Europe both offer very good models of high-speed train, and there isn’t a facility that builds this model here.