While Canada is grappling with U.S. tariff war, a lot of talk (see below) from top regional and municipal officials has been about buying Canadian.
However, the September update of the core services review from the Region of Durham does not mention the U.S. tariff war or any effort to buy local or Canadian.
“There is a lot of talk about buying Canadian; however I don’t see any action,” Regional and Oshawa councillor John Neal told Durham Post earlier.
Referring to the Core Services Review, Neal had said: “I would ask that the Durham Regional Core Service Review include that recommendation [to buy Canadian] in their mandate and pass that information on to the area municipalities and school boards.
Services and Service Levels
Durham Regional Council had directed staff to complete a Core Services Review during the 2026 budget process.
The review is intended to give council a clear picture of regional services, including what services the region provides, how they are delivered, what they cost, and which services are required by legislation or directed by council.
The review also looks at service levels, funding sources, and opportunities for costs to be funded by other levels of government.
The update said engagement activities have been completed with regional leaders, local municipal mayors and CAO’s, union representatives, and staff through the all-staff survey.
Now KPMG will synthesize the collected information and develop potential options for council’s future consideration.
KPMG’s final report and an accompanying staff report is expected to be presented to regional council in January 2027.
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