TORONTO (AP) -- Canada is interested in a free trade deal with the United States that would open up local government procurements to both countries.
The interest comes as Canadian companies continue to report difficulties in winning government contracts in U.S cities because of "Buy American" provisions in President Barack Obama's stimulus bill.
Kory Teneycke, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said Friday that Canada is interested in ending the practice of national preference at the local level in the U.S. and Canada.
Teneycke says it's premature to say if Canada would seek to open the North American Free Trade Agreement.