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OPBA’s education and learning department is now the Public Procurement Learning Lab (PPLL). All your learning resources—including Principles courses, Public Procurement Specialties, and Pro-D webinars—are now in one place.
What’s the same:
• Use your OPBA member login
• Register for courses and webinars as usual
What’s new:
• Easy access to all OPBA learning content in one location
• A modern, user-friendly platform for OPBA Principles courses
Explore PPLL:
Visit the Public Procurement Learning Lab to browse courses, access resources, and register. |
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The Power of Technology and Automation in Public Procurement
SPONSORED CONTENT |
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Technology and digitalization are fundamentally transforming public procurement, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability while reducing costs and promoting innovation.
By embracing digital technologies, governments and public procurement organizations can streamline processes, improve data-driven decision-making, and create a more responsive and accountable public sector.
“The public procurement landscape is undergoing a significant digital transformation driven by the need for transparency, efficiency, compliance, and responsiveness to stakeholder expectations. In Ontario and across Canada, technology is becoming a central enabler in reimagining how public sector organizations plan, execute, and manage procurement,” says Khusen Shukurov, Vice President, Operations, OECM. |
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Successful CPPB Certificants
Niharika Agarwal, Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation
Michelle Antoci, Town of Newmarket
Lauren Boutilier, City of Brantford
Jessica Curno, City of Niagara Falls
Zishan (Zoe) Ding, Township of King
Michelle Guy, Metrolinx
Viki (Wei) Hu, Town of Aurora
Alison Jacklin, Town of New Tecumseth
Moiz Mansoor Ali, York Regional Police Service
Amanda Meyers, Bluewater District School Board
Jennifer Rahim, City of Hamilton
Melissa Sterling, City of Cornwall
Cory Vegh, District School Board of Niagara
Successful CPPO Certificants
Jamie Boisvert, Centre d’excellence en approvisionnement FRANCOacha
Robin Gallo, Town of Innisfil
Savan Harsh, City of Guelph
Derek White, City of Burlington |
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OPBA Mentoring Program: Round 2 Starts This October! |
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Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting your public procurement journey, OPBA's Mentoring Program offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside professionals you might not meet in your day-to-day work.
This program fosters meaningful networking, provides valuable feedback in a judgment-free environment, and supports the transfer of knowledge across generations—empowering both Mentors and Mentees to thrive in the dynamic world of public procurement. This workshop is being delivered in partnership with ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership. |
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OECM Launches 3rd Generation EUC Agreement
OECM, Ontario’s trusted partner in collaborative strategic sourcing, proudly announces the launch of its third-generation End-User Computing (EUC) Products and Related Services Agreement. Since its initial introduction in 2012, the EUC Agreement has been instrumental in supporting Ontario’s Education, Municipal, and Broader Public Sector (BPS) customers.
Discover the benefits of the new EUC Agreement today at bit.ly/4hE6M9T
Contact Us
For more information, please contact OECM's dedicated Customer Support team via email at customersupport@oecm.ca.
Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest OECM news and agreements.
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OPBA at the 2025 AMO Conference
From August 17–18 in Ottawa, OPBA was proud to exhibit at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, where thousands of elected officials and senior leaders from across Ontario gathered to connect and collaborate.
At our booth, we highlighted the upcoming Public Procurement Training for Elected Officials & Senior Leaders, launching in 2026 in partnership with OECM.
Congratulations to Councillor Terry Burrell, City of Sarnia, winner of our AMO prize draw!
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6th Annual Reverse Vendor Tradeshow – October 29, 2025 |
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OPBA’s Reverse Vendor Tradeshow returns on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton! With 37 public agencies participating, this is a must-attend event for vendors and suppliers looking to connect directly with public procurement professionals across Ontario.
🔔 For Members: Don’t forget to share this event with your vendors and suppliers. Your support helps make this a valuable networking and learning opportunity for everyone involved.
👉 Learn More & Register Vendors Here
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Conference Month – Your Conference Committee in the Spotlight! |
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We thought it would be fun to gain some insight into the Committee that puts together the most amazing conference every year!
Marie Kavanaugh – York Region (Conference Committee Chair)
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? I would book a trip with my family from my “wish list” and decide the next steps.
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Bill C-5 – Fast-Tracking National Interest Projects in Canada
By: Jason J. Annibale and Natasha R. Rodrigues |
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In early June 2025 the federal government tabled the One Canadian Economy Act (referred to as “Bill C-5”) to expedite nation-building infrastructure projects and reduce interprovincial trade barriers. Bill C-5 received royal assent shortly thereafter on June 26, 2025.
Bill C-5 enacts two new pieces of legislation:
(1) the Building Canada Act, which aims to “urgently advance” infrastructure projects which serve the national interest, including energy projects; and
(2) the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act, which seeks to eliminate federal barriers to the interprovincial movement of goods, provision of services, and movement of labour.
This article considers the key elements of the new Building Canada Act, including the designation of national interest projects. |
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It's Finally Here! Canada’s Reciprocal Procurement Policy
By: Lise Patry |
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On July 14, 2025, the Government of Canada introduced a landmark Interim Policy on Reciprocal Procurement, marking a significant departure from its longstanding “open-by-default” approach to government procurement.
This policy shift is based on a principle of reciprocity: countries that do not provide Canadian suppliers, goods, and services with comparable access to their procurement markets will no longer enjoy unfettered access to Canada’s federal procurement opportunities. In other words, if foreign suppliers come from jurisdictions lacking a trade agreement with Canada, they may now be ineligible to compete for federal contracts—subject to specific exceptions.
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New Members
OPBA warmly welcomes the following new members:
• Nolie Johnston, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health
• Hassan Nadeem, Toronto Transit Commission
• Keiann Payne, Corporation of Norfolk County
• Jordan Renner, Corporation of Norfolk County
• Monique Walker, Haldimand County
• Jeff Barten, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) / (LAS)
• Shannon Devane, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) / (LAS)
• Jason Hagan, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) / (LAS)
• Meagan Khan, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) / (LAS)
• Scott Bowman, Ministry of Natural Resources, AFFES
• Kevin Cook, Ministry of Natural Resources, AFFES
• Jason MacDonald, Ministry of Natural Resources, AFFES
• Laura MacRae, Ministry of Natural Resources, AFFES
• Ashley Martin, Ministry of Natural Resources, AFFES
• Steve Meunier, Ministry of Natural Resources, AFFES
• Jessica O'Connor, Ministry of Natural Resources, AFFES
• Bashash Shaikh, Ministry of Natural Resources, AFFES
• Zoran Jovic, Town of Ajax
OPBA warmly welcomes the following new associates:
• Megan Armstrong, Town of Caledon
• Nazy Sahat, Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
• Sagar Bhalla, HealthPRO Canada
• Ross Noble, HealthPRO Canada
• Nicola Raycraft, HealthPRO Canada
• Shenghao Li, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
• Divya Chandramohan, In Transition / Public Procurement Prospects |
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Upcoming Pro-D Webinars |
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OPBA Ignite: Bid-Rigging Awareness Session |
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October 1, 2025
10:00 - 11:30 AM ET
Virtual Event
Registration closes on September 29
The Competition Bureau’s Bid-rigging awareness session is targeted to professionals who work in procurement and contracting departments. The presentation will provide an overview of the Bureau’s work and the bid-rigging provision of the Competition Act. In addition, the Bureau will offer warning signs on how to detect bid-rigging, including real case examples, as well as, tips to protect the integrity of your organization’s procurement activities.
Presenters:
Zachary Lacasse and Cassandra Clayman at Competition Bureau (GoC)
Competition Law Officers from the Cartels Directorate
THIS IS A FREE SESSION PRESENTED BY THE COMPETITION BUREAU. The session will not be recorded.
Register Here
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Before you Build – Risks to Consider when Planning and Procuring a Complex Construction Project
November 19, 2025
1 PM - 3 PM ET
Virtual Event
Registration closes Monday, November 17
Join us for a hands-on, practical session designed to help procurement professionals navigate the complex world of insurance and risk management. Our risk specialists will support a procurement professional as she navigates the procurement process for a multi-faceted construction project.
Key topics include:
• Procurement and risk management frameworks and strategies
• Types of insurance and when to apply them (featuring a high-level insurance matrix)
• Certificate of Insurance (COI) basics and best practices
• A deeper look at COIs: what to look for, what often goes wrong, and how to protect your organization
• Practical tips and lessons learned from the field
This session will be interactive and focused on real-world application. Come with your questions and leave with tools you can use.
Register Here
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UPCOMING PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SPECIALTIES (PPS) COURSES |
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RFPs - A Step by Step Guide for Public Procurement Professionals (Virtual - Zoom)
October 7 + 8, 2025
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
Virtual Learning
Registration closes Tuesday, September 30, 2025
This course is delivered via the Zoom delivery method, happening in two (2) three 3-hour sessions.
In this course, participants will uncover the secrets behind crafting successful Request for Proposals. The content is presented in an easily digestible format, providing an overview of RFP-related issues and responsibilities. Participants will have an in-depth look at all elements of the RFP process, including policies and procedures, RFP templates, methodology, communications with proponents, compliance, price proposals, contract assembly, and more. By the end of the training, participants will understand all facets of the RFP process, including how to provide relevant information during debriefings.
Register Here
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PPS - Supplier Performance
November 4, 2025
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
Virtual Learning
Registration closes Tuesday, October 28, 2025
This course is delivered via the Zoom delivery method, happening in one (1) three 3-hour session.
Contractor/Supplier/Consultant (Suppliers) Performance Program (the Program) sets out the guidelines for managing the performance of Suppliers. The program is administered in accordance with the agency’s procurement policy. The project manager is responsible for administering the program in accordance with the policy.
The purpose of this training is to provide support with supplier performance trends that will be assessed over both the short and long term to provide suppliers with feedback and to facilitate continuous improvement, where required.
Register Here
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UPCOMING PRINCIPLES COURSES
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Principles Certificate October Exam Prep Course (Virtual - Zoom)
October 22 - 23, 2025
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
Virtual Learning
Registration closes Wednesday, October 15, 2025
This course is delivered via the Zoom delivery method, happening in two (2) three 3-hour sessions.
The Principles Certificate exam prep course is designed to get you ready for the exam - the next exam session is November 1st - 7th. The topics covered in the course are what will be on the exam.
Register Here
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Principles - Co-operative Procurement (Virtual - PPLL)
Course Access: November 1 – 30, 2025
Mandatory Live Zoom Session: Thursday, November 27, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET
Registration Deadline: October 24, 2025
Delivery Format: Self-paced online + mandatory live Zoom session
This course is delivered through OPBA’s Public Procurement Learning Lab (PPLL) using the Brightspace learning platform.
This is a blended learning experience, combining self-directed online learning with a live instructor-led session. You’ll work through readings, quizzes, and assignments at your own pace throughout the month. These tasks will all have deadlines assigned that will be mandatory to meet in order to successfully complete this course.
A mandatory live Zoom session will take place on Thursday, November 27 at 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET. Attendance is required to complete the course and earn your certificate.
This course gives an overview of the cooperative purchasing process in the public sector, describing the types, benefits, structure, legal considerations and challenges cooperative purchasing groups face. Attendees will be shown and discuss examples of constitutions, strategic plans, business plan reports, commodity listings and standard terms and conditions for public tenders issued by cooperative groups.
Register Here
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GovDeals
“Building the Bridge Between Transportation and Sustainable Practices: How Governments Selling Online Benefits the Global Economy and Constituents” highlights the critical role of online sales in liquidating government assets. Encompassing a wide array of properties, vehicles, and commercial products, online auctions not only streamline government processes but also take an important step in building better futures for surplus disposition powered by the circular economy.
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Expedite and Simplify Your Projects with Job Order Contracting (JOC)
Whether it’s repairs, renovations, upgrades or straightforward construction, JOC allows you to put contractors in place immediately on a substantial number of projects with one, competitively awarded contract.
Watch Video Now |
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Strategic Procurement Officer (TFT) |
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Procurement, Insurance and Development Finance Analyst |
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Advertising and Sponsored Content in the Caveat Emptor enews:
The OPBA is diversifying its revenue sources so that we are not solely reliant on revenue generated through membership fees. Our goals are to strengthen the financial health of the association and continue to deliver valued member services while maintaining a reasonable cost of membership. We appreciate the support of our partner vendors and suppliers, many of whom have advertising and sponsored content in this enews. Articles provided by advertisers are solely for the purpose of raising awareness. OPBA does not endorse, promote, or advocate any products and services.. |
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www.opba.ca | Media Kit | Archive
The Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) is a not-for-profit professional association representing public procurement professionals throughout Ontario. We promote the ethical and effective expenditure of public funds and encourage excellence in public purchasing through our continuing professional development opportunities, the encouragement of certification programs and through networking among our members. |
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