Mansfield to pass buy local resolution
Tashi Farmilo
Published in the Pontiac Journal on March 26, 2025.
A resolution to prioritize local purchasing is set to be passed by the Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract on April 2, reinforcing its commitment to supporting businesses within the community before looking elsewhere. Mayor Sandra Armstrong, who confirmed the upcoming vote, said the measure formalizes what the municipality has already been doing—buying locally whenever possible before expanding to regional, provincial, and national suppliers.
“We start in Mansfield, then Pontiac, then Quebec, and then the rest of Canada,” Armstrong said. “We need to keep our money here, supporting the businesses that pay taxes and work hard to stay open.” She added that the resolution is a way to ensure municipal funds are reinvested into the local economy, particularly as businesses continue to recover from the economic challenges brought on by COVID-19.
The initiative has drawn attention from other municipalities in Pontiac, some of which are considering similar measures. Otter Lake Mayor Jennifer Quaile said her council has yet to pass a resolution but will discuss the idea at an upcoming meeting. “For the most part, we do buy local, whether it’s for staff events or materials,” she said, noting that the municipality frequently works with local restaurants and hardware stores.
In Rapides-des-Joachims, Mayor Lucy Rivet Paquette expressed support for Mansfield’s approach and the broader goal of strengthening local economies. “If we stick together,
we can move forward,” she said. “Supporting each other is the right thing to do.”
Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary was more cautious in his response. While he acknowledged that Mansfield is making provisions to allow flexibility, he was uncertain about fully endorsing such an approach. “No issue, just not sure I agree 100%,” he said. He added that while buying locally is important, municipalities also have to consider costs. “You should always be prepared to pay a bit more [to buy local] but at what point do you say that’s a waste of tax dollars?”
While Mansfield’s resolution does not mandate strict local purchasing in all cases—essential goods unavailable in Canada will still be sourced elsewhere—it sets a clear priority for the municipality. “It’s about making a conscious effort,” Armstrong said. “If there’s a reasonable local option, we’re going to take it.”
