By Mark Squibb/December 2, 2021
Some of us can admit we’ve passed up an opportunity to buy a local product because it was cheaper to buy it online or at a big box store.
It seems the City of Mount Pearl is no different.
“I was looking at this last evening and at some of the expenditures we have, and the one thing that stood out to me is the number of expenditures we have from Amazon,” said councilor Isabelle Fry on Tuesday as council looked its expenses register. “I’m just wondering, and I know we’ve talked about this before, and I know quite often we can get things at a cheaper price, but it’s not just the financial part of this, it’s about supporting local whenever possible, and I’m just wondering if this can be top of mind when purchasing, rather than using big suppliers like that, if there is an option to support local first, because our local economy depends on that,” said Fry.
Councilor Jim Locke responded in turn by pointing out that City policy is to take the most economical road.
“Well our procurement is such that we are keepers of the public purse, so we do have a fair process that we go through, and I don’t know if our taxpayers — and I support buying local where you can — but our process is to put out our RFPs and look for the vendors for the services and goods and we opt for the most economical supply,” Locke said. “But I take your point about supporting local where we can.”
Fry said she didn’t know that process was followed for smaller purchases and argued if it’s only a matter of a few dollars more, council should go with the local option.
“I mean, obviously, if there’s a big variance, that’s not realistic,” she allowed. “But supporting local creates local jobs within the community. So, I just wanted to bring that forward.”
Deputy Mayor Nicole Kielly then added her thoughts
“To that point, something that came to mind as a possibility, certainly we look at our policies all the time, and in relation to corporate services and being fiscally responsible, as councilor Locke has identified, I also see your point councilor Fry to shopping local, and recognizing there is an investment when it puts it back in the economy above and beyond a budget line,” said Kielly.
She suggested council look at the policy of procurement to see if council might better balance shopping local with fiscal responsibility.
Though council didn’t vote on the matter, it was decided the issue will go back to Corporate Services for review.
