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☕ Coffee with Counsel | Buy Ontario in Practice for Public Procurement.‌.‌.‌
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Apr 2026

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☕ Coffee with Counsel | Buy Ontario in Practice for Public Procurement


New Buy Ontario directives are here — what do they mean for your day-to-day procurement work?


Join Marianne Smith and Karishma Prasanna from Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP for a practical walkthrough of the new Procurement Directive, including how to apply it, early lessons learned, and key challenges to watch for.


✔ Understand what’s changed and what it means for your organization

✔ Learn how to apply the directive in your procurements

✔ Get a practical tip sheet to support implementation


Date: Monday, April 27

Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM ET

Audience: Public procurement professionals across the public sector


👉 Register now

Also of Interest: Industry Perspective on Implementation


The Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA) has shared input on the Buy Ontario Procurement Directive, highlighting the importance of minimizing administrative burden and avoiding inconsistent compliance approaches across public sector buyers. 


Their letter points to a model being advanced by the Ministry of Transportation that:


  • Uses a standardized domestic supply chain declaration approach

  • Requires at least 51% Canadian/Ontario content

  • Aims to balance policy objectives with practical implementation


👉 Read ORBA’s Letter on Reducing Administrative Burden under the Buy Ontario Procurement Directive 


👉 View MTO’s Domestic Supply Chain Plan & Declaration Template (Buy Ontario Compliance)

National Volunteer Week | April 19 – 25


As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible board and committee volunteers at the Ontario Public Buyers Association.


Your expertise, time, and unwavering dedication are the driving force behind the programs and services that support our members. Whether you're sharing your professional insight, leading initiatives, or bringing positive energy to the table, you embody the true spirit of collaboration and community.


We’re proud to recognize and celebrate each of you for your generosity, creativity, and commitment. Your contributions inspire us and strengthen OPBA’s mission to serve with excellence.


Thank you for everything you do. Your impact is immeasurable.


With sincere appreciation,

The OPBA Staff Team

The Transformational Impact of Leadership

By Ann Pauline Lechadores, City of Richmond Hill


At the City of Richmond Hill, the procurement function has been deliberately shaped to support both strong governance and effective service delivery.
Read More

Dear Erb,


I’m finishing up a procurement that didn’t go as planned and I’d like to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. How should I document my lessons learned?


Thanks, 


Learning on the Go
Read More

Procurement Month - Caveat Emptor Board Spotlight


Behind every issue of Caveat Emptor is a dedicated group of volunteers who help shape the content, share ideas, and ensure the newsletter continues to reflect the evolving needs of the public procurement community.


This month, we’re highlighting members of the Caveat Emptor Editorial Committee — the team that helps bring each issue to life.
Read More

Reflections on a 20-Year Procurement Journey

By Jackie Osti, Wellington County


This is a reflection on the career journey of a dedicated public procurement professional. With over twenty years of experience at the County of Wellington in southern Ontario, she has grown from a Purchasing Clerk into the role of Manager of Purchasing and Risk Management Services.
Read More

OPBA Announces Partnership with Canoe Procurement Group of Canada to Launch $20,000 National Scholarship Program.


The Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) is proud to announce a new partnership with Canoe Procurement Group of Canada to establish the OPBA–Canoe Scholarship, delivered through the Public Procurement Learning Lab (PPLL), OPBA’s national learning hub.
Read More

Exhibit at the 2026 Reverse Vendor Tradeshow (Complimentary for Public Agencies)


Public agencies are invited to participate as exhibitors at the OPBA Reverse Vendor Tradeshow on October 21, 2026.


This unique event flips the traditional tradeshow model — public agencies exhibit, and suppliers come to learn how to do business with you.


Why participate:

  • Educate vendors on your procurement processes

  • Connect with a wide range of suppliers

  • Increase awareness of upcoming opportunities

  • Engage your team in a collaborative, team-building experience


Exhibitor registration is complimentary for public agencies.


Participating agencies will also be entered into a draw for a free 2026 OPBA Conference registration.


Questions? Email Wendy Gan.


👉 Register as a Public Agency Exhibitor

    Procuring for Tomorrow: OPBA Annual Conference 2026


    This year’s conference will take place in London, Ontario, with both the conference and pre-conference sessions hosted at RBC Place London.


    Public procurement professionals from across the public sector will come together for learning, discussion, and connection under this year’s theme, Procuring for Tomorrow: Are You Ready for It? The program will explore emerging trends, evolving practices, and practical insights to support today’s procurement environment.


    Pre-conference workshops, including OPBA’s newest course, Contract Management, will offer in-depth learning opportunities ahead of the main conference.


    Stay tuned for full program details.


    👉 Learn more and register.


    Also on September 22, the Caveat Emptor Cup Golf Tournament at Echo Valley Golf Club in London offers a relaxed setting to connect with colleagues and start networking before the conference begins.


    Register for the golf tournament

    OPBA Mentoring Program: Learn From Experience


    Public procurement is a profession built on shared knowledge and continuous learning.


    Through the OPBA Mentoring Program, members can connect with peers across the province to exchange insights, discuss real-world challenges, and strengthen professional skills.


    Whether you're looking to develop new perspectives as a mentee or share your experience as a mentor, the program supports meaningful professional growth and connection within the public procurement community.


    What Participants Are Saying

    Mentee:

    “I implemented the contract negotiation tool my mentor shared, and it transformed my documentation and process. More importantly, I gained confidence in my day-to-day work.”

    OPBA Member, Senior Procurement Specialist, Fleet & Procurement


    Mentor – Michelle Rasiulis:

    “The OPBA Mentorship Program allows experienced professionals to give back in meaningful ways. Watching a mentee apply shared tools and grow in confidence is incredibly rewarding.”

    Michelle Rasiulis, CSCMP, NISCL-CSCL, CPPB, NIGP-CPP

    Procurement Manager, Niagara Region

    👉 Learn more about the program and how to participate

    This is a unique OPBA member benefit designed to help members grow their careers while strengthening the profession.


    Questions? Contact members@opba.ca

    Share Your Procurement Insight — Your Article Could Win the Dick Brimmell Award


    Have an idea, insight, or lesson learned from your procurement work?

    OPBA members are invited to contribute articles to Caveat Emptor, OPBA’s newsletter for public procurement professionals. Sharing your experience helps strengthen the profession by providing practical insights and ideas that others across the public sector can learn from.

    Articles can cover a wide range of topics — procurement strategies, process improvements, policy updates, case studies, lessons learned, or emerging trends impacting public procurement.

    Dick Brimmell Award for Best Article

    Contributing to Caveat Emptor also makes you eligible for the Dick Brimmell Award, established in 1996 in honour of OPBA’s first newsletter editor.

    Each year, two articles published in Caveat Emptor are recognized:

    • Best Article – $500
    • Honourable Mention – $250

    Winning articles are selected by the OPBA Board of Directors.


    Articles are evaluated on their relevance, practical value, and potential to benefit public procurement professionals across different types of public agencies.


    Winners are recognized at the OPBA Annual Conference Awards Dinner.

    👉 Interested in contributing an article? Email: Wendy Gan, wendy@opba.ca.

    Judy Wilson Emerging Leader Award | Nominations Now Open


    Nomination Deadline | Friday May 22, 2026


    In 2024, the Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) proudly partnered with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) to launch the Judy Wilson Emerging Leader Award. This prestigious award is now in its third year, and nominations are officially open.


    If you’re looking for a way to recognize an emerging leader making an impact in public procurement, we encourage you to submit a nomination.

    👉  Click here to learn more and submit a nomination

    OPBA Learning Spotlight: Modernizing the Member Learning Experience


    As part of OPBA’s continued focus on delivering high-quality professional development, our Executive Director, Rozalyn Werner-Arcé, has recently been featured on two podcasts discussing the evolution of OPBA’s learning programs.


    These conversations explore OPBA’s transition from traditional instructor-led delivery to a more flexible blended learning model, designed to better support members with improved access, greater flexibility, and a more engaging learning experience.


    Roz shares insights on maintaining real-world relevance in an online environment, supporting instructors through change, and scaling learning opportunities while maintaining quality.

    👉  Watch: From Zoom Fatigue to Blended Brilliance (NeonTrain Podcast)

    👉  Watch: How Associations Can Build Trust and Career Growth (D2L Podcast)

    CDAO Procurement Day 2026


    Registration is now open for Procurement Day 2026, hosted by the Construction and Design Alliance of Ontario (CDAO).


    This virtual event will bring together industry leaders and procurement professionals to discuss key developments shaping the construction and infrastructure sector. The program will feature panel discussions, expert insights, and opportunities to connect with peers across the industry.


    Event Details


    Date: April 30, 2026

    Time: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

    Format: Virtual


    We encourage early registration to secure your spot.


    Learn more and register: www.cdao.ca/procurementday2026

    Community Beyond Procurement


    Public procurement professionals bring a wide range of talents, interests, and passions to their work and beyond it.

    OPBA is introducing a short Member Spotlight feature called “Community Beyond Procurement.” This quick feature highlights what our members are involved in outside of their professional roles.

    Do you volunteer in your community? Run marathons? Play music? Coach youth sports? Garden, paint, or pursue another passion?

    We invite members to share a short spotlight about what they enjoy outside of procurement, up to 100 words. Your story may be featured in an upcoming issue of Caveat Emptor.

    👉 Interested in being featured? Send your submission to: Wendy Gan, wendy@opba.ca.

    Let’s celebrate the people behind the profession.

    New Members


    OPBA warmly welcomes the following new members: 


    Toni Biniaris, Confederation College

    Alyshia Crawford, Georgian College

    Sean Morrison, City of Ottawa

    Sudani Muwwakkil, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

    Haroon Popalazai, Workplace Safety & Insurance Appeals Tribunal

    Obinna Emeruwa, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health

    Liza Hains, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health

    Sean McNamara, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health

    Danielle Parent, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health

    Jan Downard, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health

    Lauren Anderson, City of Welland

    Spencer Steckley, Town of St. Marys

    Russell Stouffer, Town of St. Marys


    OPBA warmly welcomes the following new associates: 


    Pamela Dixon, Mohawk Medbuy

    Aayush Vikramkumar Sanghvi, City of Toronto

    Nicolette Lim, In Transition / Public Procurement Prospects

    Essen Mugford, In Transition / Public Procurement Prospects

    Ian Burns, Trillium College - student body

    Sean Cluff, Town of Oakville


    NIGP Foundations Pilot – May 2026


    This May, OPBA will be piloting three NIGP Foundations courses to help address access barriers some members have experienced and to ensure more members can participate in core professional development opportunities.


    These courses focus on three key areas of public procurement practice: strategy and policy, planning and analysis, and sourcing and contracting.


    Designed primarily for early-career public procurement professionals (generally those new to the profession up to five years of experience), each course offers practical knowledge and skills that support professional development and career growth.


    Participants who complete individual courses will earn a certificate that can be applied toward the NIGP-CPP designation. Those who complete all three courses may earn the Public Procurement Associate Designation.


    Note: Registration fees are offered at a special rate as part of this pilot.


    Course Schedule

    Foundations of Strategy and Policy
    May 7–8 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET
    Focuses on legal and ethical considerations, procurement functions, and strategic value within public sector organizations.

    Foundations of Planning and Analysis
    May 13–14 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET
    Develops skills to identify procurement goals, design effective strategies, and support informed decision-making.

    Foundations of Sourcing and Contracting
    May 27–29 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET
    Provides foundational tools to support sourcing decisions and effective contracting practices in public procurement.


    Each course requires a minimum of 8 participants and a maximum of 24 participants to proceed.


    👉 Visit the OPBA website to review learning objectives, pricing, and registration details.

    Questions? Contact members@opba.ca

    Register for Upcoming Course


    As the cornerstone of OPBA's educational offerings, PPLL provides a more comprehensive and meaningful learning experience through a blend of self-paced online modules and a virtual classroom session via Zoom in the final week.


    View full calendar of upcoming courses.

    Practical Learning for Public Procurement Professionals


    Procurement Specialists Meeting


    Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET | Virtual Event

    Registration closes: May 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

    Free OPBA member exclusive opportunity


    Join us quarterly for a unique and inclusive gathering of procurement peers! Our Procurement Specialists Meetings offer a welcoming space for professionals in a Procurement capacity within their organization, regardless of title. These facilitated sessions use a structured yet flexible format that ensure everyone’s voice is heard and that current topics of interest are shared and discussed. Come prepared to ask questions, listen, and connect with peers in this virtual networking session.


    Click here to register


    Coffee with Counsel: Ontario Bill 194 in Practice: What Public Sector Buyers Must Do Now on Cybersecurity, Privacy and AI


    Tuesday, June 09, 2026

    1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET (90 minutes - Virtual Event)

    Registration closes June 08, 2026 - 12:00 PM ET.


    Bill 194 is reshaping expectations around cybersecurity, privacy, and AI in Ontario’s public sector—bringing new considerations for procurement professionals.


    Join Lise Patry (LXM Law LLP) for a practical discussion on what this means for your day-to-day procurement work. This session will highlight key impacts of the legislation and outline actionable steps to strengthen due diligence, contract terms, and vendor risk management.


    Click here to register


    People Leaders Meeting


    Friday, June 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET | Virtual Event

    Registration closes: June 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

    Free OPBA member exclusive opportunity


    Join us for a unique and inclusive gathering of procurement peers where the spirit of collaboration takes center stage! Our People Leader’s Meetings are a welcoming space for management/leadership-level procurement professionals who lead others within their organization, regardless of their title.


    Our goal is to cultivate a culture of open dialogue, curiosity, and inclusivity among peers in a safe environment. People Leaders are welcome to share their perspectives and engage in a free-flowing exchange of ideas, problem solving and sharing. This is an opportunity to learn from one another, broaden perspectives, and strengthen the bond within our network of procurement professionals.


    Click here to register

    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..

    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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