In an NDP response to the Buy American clause in the bailout package, Leader Jack Layton called for the government to adopt a “Buy Canadian” policy in order to “save jobs” - his callout was met with eager appreciation from the Canadian Auto Workers and United Steelworkers unions.

Ken Lewenza and Ken Neumann, leaders of the Canadian Auto Workers and United Steelworkers respectively say that tax dollars spent on recovery and stimulus projects should be directed only to Canadian workers, speaking in Ottawa Tuesday.

This protectionist policy follows in the internationally negative response to a clause in the U.S. $900 billion stimulus package which required government-sponsored project to purchase steel and raw resources from U.S.-owned companies, with few exceptions.

“This is not about fear-mongering … this is not about protectionism,” said the United Steelworkers, saying that such a clause is “common sense,” in response to claims that such a move may infringe on anti-protectionist international beliefs.

Jack Layton says that this “golden opportunity” is both “perfectly legal” and “appropriately designed” to include a ‘Buy Canadian’ clause in all stimulus literature.

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