The issue of buying local was raised at West Nipissing council this week.
Councillor Denis Senecal wanted to know why the municipality was paying outside businesses for goods he believes are available through West Nipissing merchants.
Two outside businesses that caught his attention were Amazon and Laurentian Business Products in Sudbury.
“I see that we purchased office supplies from Amazon.ca,” Senecal told council.
“I don’t think that they (Amazon) pay any taxes in our municipality,”
Senecal made the same point with Laurentian Business Products saying it doesn’t pay any taxes to West Nipissing.
“Why are we not looking for local suppliers for business and office supplies,” asked Senecal.
In response, Mayor Joanne Savage pointed out that the municipality’s Procurement Bylaw gives staff some leeway to buy out of town.
She says the bylaw was amended sometime back to allow for the leeway which is designed to help the municipality save money.
“We look for the best cost and deal for taxpayers,” said the Mayor.
Staff also pointed out when councillors see bills from out-of-town businesses regarding office supplies, those bills cover more than pens and paper.
Staff say, for example, the billing item from Laurentian Business Products is tied to the municipality’s copiers.
Despite the explanation from the Mayor and staff, councillor Yvon Duhaime agreed with Senecal that the municipality should be making every effort to buy local and left the matter at that.