“This is too little, too late. The Harper government allowed the Americans to rag the puck until any deal was basically irrelevant. Most of the U.S. stimulus has been spent, so Canadian companies are only left with the crumbs.”
- Liberal International Trade Critic Scott Brison.

While the Harper Conservatives pat themselves on the back for signing the Buy American deal, a U.S. trade spokesperson said that most of the economic stimulus program is still not open to Canadians and the bulk of the funds have already been allocated:

“Of the entire $787 billion Recovery Act, this agreement gives Canada access to only seven programs that were funded by ARRA at about $18 billion total; of that fraction, Canada can only access projects that are above $7.8 million in value, and of those, only projects for which contracts have not been awarded. Obviously, as we enter into the second year of the Recovery Act funding, much of the funding has already been awarded in contracts.” (Toronto Star, Feb. 6, 2010)

What others are saying about the deal:

“This agreement is certainly good news for American corporate interests, but there is very little assurance that this agreement will create good jobs for Canadians.” (CUPE national president Paul Moist, Toronto Star, Feb. 6, 2010)

 “We’ve been hosed again.” (Thomas Walkom, National Affairs Columnist, Toronto Star, Feb. 6, 2010)

“Canada seems to have dressed this up to appear as more than it is. The U.S. committed to relatively little here, apart from the promise of a fast-track process.” (Chris Sands, the Hudson Institute specializing in U.S.-Canada relations, Toronto Star, Feb. 6, 2010)

“A lot of the $787 billion in stimulus cash has already been spent. The deal comes too late for a lot of Canadian companies that have long ago missed out on the chance to bid for current projects” (Todd Hirsch, ATB Financial, The Province, Feb. 7, 2010)

“It doesn’t solve all the problems Canadian companies are experiencing with Buy American and must not end our efforts to fight restrictions in our major export market.” (Jayson Mayers, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Toronto Sun, Feb. 5, 2010)

“Since that tap officially dries up later this month, it’s unlikely that this will lever any bonanza of greenbacks to stressed Canadian firms.” (Edmonton Journal, Feb. 6, 2010)

“There is not enough time. So, unless people were preparing bids on spec, I very much doubt they will be able to get it through.” (Mel Svendsen, President and CEO of Standen`s LTD, ctvcalgary.ca, Feb. 5, 2010)

“Much of the bidding window is past, and much of the work has already been started. The deadline for bidding on projects under the stimulus program is Feb. 17. And we don’t know how much money or how many projects are still up for grabs. And only 37 U.S. states have signed on to the deal, while the rest could still hold to the protectionist principals and practices set out in the Buy American legislation. It’s not exactly a bold new dawn, regardless of what Conservative spin doctors would have us believe.” (“Protectionism down, not out,” Howard Elliott, Hamilton Spectator, Feb. 8, 2010)