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OPBA Talks Tariffs: Resources, Policies and more |
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Tariffs are on everyone’s minds. Are they on, off, or on hold? Can we implement a “Buy Canadian” or “Buy non-US” policy? While politicians aim to reassure their constituents that they are advocating for their best interests, many municipalities already embrace a “Buy Local” directive. Public procurement professionals understand that every decision carries implications, especially when it comes to trade agreement compliance. So, what’s a procurement professional to do? That’s where OPBA steps in—here to support and guide you. |
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Build Successful Team and Supplier Relationships through Collaboration
SPONSORED CONTENT |
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Today’s businesses and business leaders face unprecedented complexity in their efforts to drive innovative growth within an ever-changing market and environment.
On the employee side of their business, successful leaders must build loyal relationships with their multigenerational and multicultural employees who have greater reward, recognition, and support expectations. |
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March is Procurement Month: OPBA's Educational Series to Enhance Procurement Excellence |
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March is Procurement Month, and OPBA has been celebrating with a series of weekly educational sessions designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of procurement professionals. With three insightful sessions completed, we have one final session left—don’t miss your last chance to join us! |
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Nominations Now Open for OPBA's Judy Wilson Emerging Leader Award |
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In 2024, the Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) proudly partnered with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) to launch the Judy Wilson Emerging Leader Award. The inaugural award winner was recognized at the 2024 OPBA conference, and we are thrilled to announce nominations are now open for the 2025 recipient. Read on for more details and to submit your nomination! |
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Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) and AMO/LAS Announce Strategic Partnership
Toronto, ON – March 11, 2025 – The Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and Local Authority Services (LAS). This collaboration aims to strengthen public procurement practices, advance shared values, and deliver initiatives that benefit the broader public sector.
Through this partnership, OPBA and AMO/LAS will work together on projects where mutual benefits can be realized including education and professional development opportunities, sharing of best practices, advocating on key issues, and collaborating on innovative municipal procurement solutions. Additionally, both organizations will extend invitations to each other’s conferences, fostering greater knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.
As a testament to this collaboration, OPBA will exhibit at the upcoming AMO conference showcasing its commitment to supporting municipal procurement professionals and promoting innovative solutions. The AMO Conference will be held in Ottawa on August 17 – 20, 2025.
“We are excited to partner with AMO/LAS,” said Rozalyn Werner-Arcé, Executive Director at OPBA. “This partnership represents a positive step towards elevating public procurement best practices and creating greater awareness about procurement as a strategic asset within agencies in Ontario. By working together, we can leverage our collective strengths to better serve our communities.”
“Collaboration is key to achieving our shared goals,” said Judy Dezell, Director, AMO Enterprise Centre, Business Partnerships & LAS. “We look forward to the opportunities this partnership will bring and the positive impact it will have on municipal public procurement across the province.”
For more information, about OPBA, please visit our website or email Rozalyn Werner-Arcé.
To learn more about AMO or LAS, visit their websites or email Judy Dezell.
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Celebrating Excellence in Public Procurement: 2024 Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Recipients & NIGP-CPP Achievements |
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Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Recipients
The OPBA would like to extend our deepest congratulations to the following individuals for successfully completing the Principles of Effective Public Procurement Program and obtaining their Principles Certificate: |
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Updated Principles of Effective Public Procurement textbook now available! |
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We are delighted to announce that the newest edition of the "Principles of Effective Public Procurement" textbook is now available for purchase. This update, the first since 2014, contains the most current information and aligns with the Principles Certificate curriculum. The 2024 edition is consistent with the previous edition by providing the best comprehensive overview of public purchasing currently available in a Canadian context that is non-academic and free from complicated legal language. |
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Join the OPBA’s Mentoring Program |
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Join the OPBA’s Mentoring Program
Sign up now to join Phase One of our Mentoring Program, where experienced professionals and those newer to public procurement connect to share ideas and knowledge. The program will pause for the spring/summer months, so if you'd like to be matched with a Mentor or Mentee, use the link below to sign up now. Phase Two will launch in the fall, providing additional opportunities to participate.
For any questions, contact us at members@opba.ca.
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UPPCC Certification Updates: Fee Discounts & New CPPB Prep Guide
UPPCC Initial and Recertification Fee Discounts
As OPBA is a recognized partner of UPPCC, OPBA members are eligible for a discount when they apply for certification or recertification. The discounts include $125 off of the Application Fee and $50 off the Recertification Fee.
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Don’t Miss Out on Important Updates! |
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To ensure you’re receiving all OPBA newsletters, event announcements, and important updates, please add @opba.ca to your email whitelist or safe sender list.
By doing this, you’ll stay connected and won’t miss:
✅ Our monthly Caveat Emptor newsletter
✅ Upcoming event details and course registrations
✅ Member updates and key opportunities
Take a moment today to whitelist @opba.ca—we don’t want you to miss a thing!
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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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Saving Money and Promoting Sustainability: Surplus Coordination at the City of Hamilton |
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Authored by: Costa Tsangarakis, City of Hamilton
Within the City of Hamilton’s municipal operations, there is one staff role that stands out as essential to both sustainability and environmental responsibility: the Procurement Surplus Coordinator. My name is Costa Tsangarakis, and I am the Procurement Surplus Coordinator for the City of Hamilton. It’s my role and responsibility to coordinate the disposal process across all City departments, and to ensure to the best of my ability that unused and obsolete items are either repurposed, resold, or disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. From furniture to vehicles and office equipment, the Procurement Surplus Coordinator handles it all, saving taxpayers money and supporting green initiatives along the way. Let me provide you with a closer look into this important position.
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CDAO Seeks Public Sector Input on Design & Construction Procurement Best Practices Guide |
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The Construction & Design Alliance of Ontario (CDAO) is developing a Best Practices Guide for the procurement of design and construction services for public infrastructure. This guide aims to help public sector buyers assess their current procurement approaches against recommended best practices, serving as a valuable resource for project owners and design/construction service providers alike. |
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Renew Your OPBA Membership for 2025—Unlock Exclusive Benefits! |
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Thank you for your contributions this year as an OPBA member! We're grateful to have the vibrant community we do, and it wouldn't be possible without you. Now that membership renewal season is upon us, we hope you'll join us again in 2025 to continue learning, networking, and taking advantage of all the member perks we have to offer. |
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New Members
OPBA warmly welcomes the following new members:
• Cindy Delgreco, Township of South Stormont
• Gertrude Amoah Mensah, Northeastern University
• Dinesh Sharma, Sheridan College |
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Start Saving in 2025 with Perkopolis!
Did you know a perk of being an OPBA member is getting access to Perkopolis? Perkopolis is free to join, has no user fees, and gives you exclusive entertainment and lifestyle discounts, gift card rewards and much more! To join OPBA’s Perkopolis program, please email members@opba.ca with the e-mail address you would like associate with your Perkopolis account, and you’ll hear from us soon with next steps. |
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Boost Your Professional Development!
There’s no better time to invest in your growth—why not book a course or two? Explore our upcoming educational sessions below and take the next step in your procurement journey.
Plus, don’t forget to register for the last session of our March Procurement Month Weekly Educational Series—free for OPBA members.
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Critical Thinking - A Critical Skill
March 26, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Virtual Event
Registration closes on March 24, 2025
Join us for OPBA's weekly educational series celebrating March Procurement Month! This is the last session in our 4-part series.
We’ve been told that our ability to think is what separates us from the animals. “I think, therefore I am,” proclaimed Rene’ Descartes in the 17th century. Situations, problems and opportunities confront us on a daily basis. How we handle them and move on is fundamental to long-term success in any endeavor. Simply reacting is not a sound strategy. We each have our own experiences and points of view from which we make assumptions. To that we add facts, opinions and observations to try and arrive at a course of action. We must analyze each situation on its own merits and develop a plan to attack it. This requires the skill set of critical thinking, which examines assumptions, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions.
This workshop will examine many of the facets of critical thinking and provide some useful tools for its proper application.
Register Here
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Don't Forget to Register
Procurement Specialists Meeting
Monday, April 28, 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Virtual Event
Registration closes on April 25, 2025, 12:00 PM ET
Join us quarterly for an inclusive gathering of procurement peers! These meetings provide a welcoming space for professionals engaged in procurement within their organizations, regardless of title. Each session features a structured yet flexible format, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to contribute, share insights, and discuss current topics of interest. Come ready to ask questions, listen, and connect with peers during this interactive virtual networking experience.
Note: These sessions are specifically designed for professionals actively involved in procurement and are not intended for people leaders who do not directly procure goods and services.
Have a burning question or discussion topic? Send it to events@opba.ca at least one week before the meeting.
A free, OPBA member-exclusive opportunity! Attendees can earn two (2) contact hours for participating.
Register Here
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OPBA’s CPPB Prep Course Now Open for Registration!
April 10 + 11, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM*
Virtual Learning
*specific course timing may change, but please expect a full two-day course
Registration closes April 2, 2025
As a recognized training partner of the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC), the Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) has developed this two-day examination preparation course based on the BoK-C. Led by a qualified instructor, the course will cover the six (6) domain areas which comprise the BoK-C for the CPPB exam. The course will help learners understand their strengths and the areas that require additional focus. If you are unsure if you are eligible to write the CPPB exam, please contact UPPCC.
Register Here
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Build Your Foundation with our Principles Program
Our Principles Program courses provide essential training in public sector procurement, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to excel.
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Flexible Learning: Daytime & Evening Sessions Available!
Don’t Miss Out! Limited Spots for Introduction to Public Procurement
If you've been waiting to dive into your learning journey with our foundational Introduction to Public Procurement course, now is the perfect time! We’re excited to offer two new sessions at special times, designed to fit your schedule.
Spots are limited, so secure your place today to get started:
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Principles - Introduction to Public Procurement
April 23 - 24, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes April 16, 2025
This course is the pre-requisite for the Principles of Effective Public Procurement certificate program, giving an introduction to policy and procedures, authority and agency, the public procurement cycle and other aspects of the function of procurement. Candidates will be given an overview of legal considerations purchasing staff need to know when developing and handling bid documents, deciding the best procurement option (tender and RFP processes), as well as discuss centralized versus decentralized procurement systems.
Register Here
Principles - Competitive Bidding
April 29 & 30, 2025
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes April 22, 2025
This session gives a detailed examination of the tendering and request for proposal processes. It includes concepts, issues and the resolution of issues relating to preparing and issuing the procurement documents as well as the ultimate receiving, opening and checking of bids. Candidates will be given an overview of the various components comprising tenders and request for proposal documents and the differences of each.
Register Here
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Public Procurement Specialties Courses
Our Public Procurement Specialties courses are designed for those ready to advance their skills.
Principles - Advanced Procurement for Construction
April 2 - 3, 2025
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes March 26, 2025
DESCRIPTION
The Advanced Procurement for Construction course is for procurement professionals in the public sector who are called upon for their expertise in developing and administering large, sometimes complex procurement for construction.
Although the Introduction to Construction is not a pre-requisite for the Advanced Construction course, it is strongly advised that learners have experience in construction procurement. The Advanced course qualifies as one of the two additional courses required to be eligible to write the Principles exam. Learners do not have to be enrolled in the Principles Certificate program to take this course.
Register Here
Click here to view our course calendar and register. |
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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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Early Registration is Now Open – Secure Your Spot Before March 31! |
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Join us September 17-19, 2025, at the Nottawasaga Resort & Conference Centre for OPBA’s premier event, bringing together public procurement professionals for learning, networking, and collaboration.
Register Early & Make the Most of Your Budget!
If you have remaining budget funds for this fiscal year, now is the perfect time to register before March 31 and allocate those dollars toward professional development.
Early Bird Registration Pricing Ends Monday, July 7, 2025 – Don’t miss your chance to save!
The full agenda will be posted by Friday, March 21 (end of day), but you can register now to secure your spot at this must-attend event.
Visit the OPBA’s 67th Annual Conference & Tradeshow website to learn more.
For any questions, contact conference@opba.ca.
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Be an Exhibitor at the 2025 Reverse Vendor Tradeshow—Win a Free 2026 Conference Registration! |
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Calling All OPBA Member Agencies—Participate for Free!
Don’t miss your chance to participate as an exhibitor in the 2025 Reverse Vendor Tradeshow. This event is your opportunity to:
• Showcase your agency’s procurement processes to vendors.
• Network with suppliers eager to collaborate with the public sector.
• Share insights on how businesses can work with your agency.
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Osgoode Professional development |
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Members get 10% off the following OsgoodePD programs using code OPBA-10
Critical Updates for Construction Law and Practice in Ontario
Apr 9, 2025 | In-Person or Online (Live) & May 15, 2025 Online (Replay)
In one day, a leading faculty of legal, industry and insurance experts will help you decode the need-to-know developments impacting construction law and practice in Ontario, and provide tactical guidance for dealing with them and protecting your client’s interests – including the practical steps that owners, contractors and subcontractors/trades need to take to satisfy shifting risk, rights and obligations. Register today at: https://bit.ly/40CLN0t
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Toronto and Region Conservation Authority |
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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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