One executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump triggered a national conversation in Canada about something the tech industry has already been talking about for years: procurement.

When Trump threatened tariffs, provincial and federal governments fired back and procurement policies began shifting overnight. Liquor was banned, contracts were cancelled and American companies found themselves locked out of provincial deals. 

Procurement is a choice, and these recent moves prove that we can adapt quickly when under pressure. The challenge now is making sure these changes stick. Not out of retaliation, but as part of a thoughtful, long-term strategy to prioritize Canadian businesses.

Procurement paradox

Canadian tech startups have been vocal about the challenges they’ve faced with local procurement, from rules and regulations to what they’ve described as a risk-averse culture. Many have found that to get noticed, they often have to prove themselves on the global stage before being given a fair chance at home.

I’ve seen this firsthand. Whether in government or in the private sector, it often felt like change was just out of reach, despite clear solutions being available. The prevailing mindset was often that “this is just how procurement works,” even though there were always ways to improve the system. While the intent was there, it wasn’t always easy to overcome existing processes.

With a single executive order, the U.S. president pushed our nation to reconsider how we approach procurement and to think more critically about buying Canadian.

A catalyst for instant policy change

When Trump introduced his tariff threats, the response was swift. Ontario and Manitoba led the way by banning U.S. liquor and cutting off American suppliers from government contracts. Doug Ford even went so far as to tear up a $100 million Starlink contract overnight. Provinces across the country quickly followed suit, making it clear that change is possible when the political will is there.

This proves procurement reform isn’t impossible. When there’s enough pressure, governments can adapt in an instant. The real question we need to ask ourselves is not "can we change procurement?" but rather, "why did it take a tariff threat to push us into action?"

Past attempts, present opportunities

Efforts to reform procurement have been underway for years. Initiatives like Communitech Fast Track Health and Fast Track Cities, designed to streamline procurement in industries like health care and retail, have shown that rapid procurement is possible. These efforts have shown that with the right support, procurement can be streamlined and simplified.

Take the $30 million investment in CAN Health, designed to accelerate health-tech innovation in Canada. Despite the funding, Canadian companies often had to prove themselves internationally before being considered for domestic contracts. This highlights a gap in support for our innovators at home, rather than a lack of innovation.

In fact, when it comes to international defense and tech innovation, Canada has punched well above its weight. In the first round of NATO’s Diana initiative, Canada had more submissions than any other country, despite not even having a dedicated accelerator. So, it’s not that Canadian companies lack the talent, they just need the chance to show it here.

Open innovation as open procurement

So, what could a better model look like? The answer lies in the idea of open innovation combined with open procurement. We need to create a system that’s agile, transparent and designed to prioritize Canadian solutions, while still keeping an eye on price competitiveness.

The "Fast Track" model, which accelerates procurement, should be expanded across all levels of government. Instead of viewing procurement as a rigid process, we should view it as an opportunity to innovate. Government shouldn’t just be a buyer, it should be an incubator for local solutions.

The idea is simple: Canada first, not Canada only. This isn’t about turning our back on global markets; it’s about asking why, if we have a world-class solution at home, we aren’t using it first. If no Canadian company can provide a solution, then we look elsewhere, but not before.

The benefits of buying Canadian

Choosing Canadian solutions is not only a matter of national pride but a smart economic decision. Every dollar spent on local companies stays within Canada, supporting jobs, research and long-term economic growth. By strengthening local supply chains, we also ensure that we’re less reliant on foreign suppliers, especially in times of crisis. It’s good for business and good for the whole country.

Keep moving the pen

If Donald Trump could force procurement change overnight, why can’t we do it for ourselves? What we need now is permanent change, including policies that don’t just react to external pressures but that take a proactive approach to supporting our own industries.

Business leaders and citizens have a role to play. We need to demand action from municipal, provincial and federal leaders to support Canadian innovation. Programs like Team True North, that champion homegrown tech, should be promoted, and a Canada first procurement policy should be on the table for every level of government.

We don’t need to wait for another tariff war to push us into action. The last few days have proven that change is possible, and it’s time to make it permanent. The stroke of a pen changed everything once. It’s time we keep writing a future that supports Canadian innovation.