Buying Local Initiatives in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic

An Analysis of Their Effectiveness

Abstract

The abstract is already incorporated in the paper. I can however add it here aswell. 

Abstract: 

Local, regional, and national governments throughout Canada and in many countries around the world are currently employing “buy local” initiatives in order to address the negative economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Primary goals of this paper are to survey the traditional costs and benefits associated with buying local programs followed by an assessment of the new benefits, costs and potential obstacles of these initiatives in the context of a global pandemic. Another objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness and the future trend of buying local policy efforts in the Quebec province as a case-study, which includes an analysis of two surveys conducted in the summer 2020 to assess the local buying habits of Quebecers during the pandemic and the new challenges facing local producers. Results show that the main benefits associated with buying local are job creation and employment stability, income-generating multiplier effects, reductions in environmental damage, better quality products, better customer service, and supply-chain security whereas the costs are related to declines in the gains from trade, harm to exporting countries, especially developing countries, reductions in variety of available products, trade agreement violations, and higher production costs associated with small-scale production. The findings also suggest that e-commerce, food autonomy and local procurement are increasing in importance in Quebec and that consumers are concerned about the local economy and are willing to pay a price premium for locally produced goods.