$54,000 Canada Goose parka purchase by Ontario government ruffles feathers

Luxury jackets provided to youth correctional workers in Northern Ontario, ministry says

Thestar.com
May 5, 2017
By Kristin Rushowy

The government has ruffled feathers by spending $54,000 on pricey Canada Goose jackets for youth correctional staff working in Northern Ontario.

“It’s clearly a luxury item and I don’t understand how you can be that out of touch to think this is an appropriate purchase,” said Progressive Conservative MPP Sylvia Jones, adding she was only able to confirm the expenditure after filing a Freedom of Information request.

The government will not say how many coats were purchased nor how much they cost, and Jones’ FOI request seeking further details was rejected on the grounds that doing so “would release confidential information that would bring harm” to Canada Goose.

Parkas made by the Toronto-based company can cost more than $1,000 retail, but the Ministry of Children and Youth Services said in a statement they were purchased in bulk and “we received such a significant discount on the jackets ... that Canada Goose will not let us say how much they cost because they’re worried other buyers will want the same deal we received.

“All of the appropriate government procurement rules were followed and in fact they led to us receiving such a good deal,” said Alicia Ali, press secretary to Minister Michael Coteau.

The parkas, purchased prior to him taking over the ministry, are “for staff who work and engage in outdoor activities with youth in Northern Ontario” where in the winter temperatures can plunge to minus 40 C. While time spent outside varies, some do spend their entire shifts in the cold.

She also said the ministry purchases coats for staff once they start their job, and again every five to 10 years, and the coats “are owned by the ministry and are returned when staff stop working for the facility.”

Canada Goose, which is headquartered in Toronto and has several Canadian manufacturing facilities, employs about 1,200.

“Every Canada Goose jacket the government buys helps create jobs in Ontario and Canada. Our jackets are designed to protect people who live and work in the coldest places on Earth,” the company said in a written statement.

“We are proud to have worked for many years with government organizations around the world, including the Government of Ontario. We offer competitive wholesale pricing, but as with any customer, we do not disclose specifics.”

Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid, who spoke to reporters at Queen’s Park on Friday about the latest job numbers, called the company a “good Ontario global success story” and said its great news that it won the contract and the province got a discounted rate.

“Canada Goose produces the best jackets in the world,” he said. “They are sought after worldwide .... so we want to make sure our workers have good quality equipment and good quality jackets to keep them warm when the need to be ... I think it’s great when an Ontario company wins a procurement that creates jobs here in Ontario.”

But Jones, her party’s deputy leader, said the optics make her angry, given the parkas were bought by a ministry that was cutting services for autistic children at the time.

“Was this really the only option available?” she said.