By Suwannee.payne - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36232387
FORT MCMURRAY — The RCMP says it continues to get the equipment and services needed to support its operations despite uncertainty surrounding tariffs and the Canada-U.S. trade dispute.
Harvard Media spoke with RCMP headquarters in Ottawa to ask whether tariffs and counter-tariffs are affecting the national police force’s supply chain.
“The RCMP operates under the Government of Canada framework of procurement,” the force said in an emailed statement from its Ottawa headquarters.
“While trade measures may affect the cost or availability of certain goods and services, the RCMP continues to procure the equipment and services necessary to support its operations.”
Federal procurement is largely centralized through Public Services and Procurement Canada, which serves as the government’s central purchasing agent. The minister responsible for the department has authority over federal procurement of goods, services and construction, although purchasing authority can be delegated to individual departments.
The federal procurement framework is also being reshaped to favour domestic suppliers and supply chains.
The government’s Buy Canadian Procurement Policy Framework took effect in December 2025 and prioritizes Canadian suppliers, materials and content in federal purchasing. Current rules give priority to Canadian businesses and Canadian-made content for strategic federal contracts worth $5 million or more.
Federal procurement policy is intended to ensure departments receive the goods and services needed to deliver programs while achieving best value. Procurement is also subject to requirements surrounding governance, oversight, transparency and accountability.
The RCMP says it is working within that system to address its purchasing needs.
“The RCMP is committed to transparency, fairness and accountability that ensures the best value for Canadians while providing the equipment and services the organization needs,” the statement said.
“We will continue to work closely with central agencies and federal common service providers such as Public Services and Procurement Canada to find methods that help expedite the procurement process.”
The RCMP did not identify any specific equipment or services affected by tariffs, nor did its response indicate the trade dispute has disrupted enforcement or other operations.
“As always, the RCMP’s top priority is the safety of its members and the public,” the force said.
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