The Office of the Procurement Ombud

The Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) just published a new Knowledge Deepening and Sharing report titled “Turning Complexity into Capability: Canada’s Defence Procurement System for Major Projects”.

Read the full report to learn more about Canada’s defence procurement system, including key challenges, and considerations for improvement: https://opo-boa.gc.ca/tcc-eng.html

This National Public Service Week, we recognize the dedication and hard work of public servants across Canada.

At the Office of the Procurement Ombud, we are proud to support suppliers and federal departments by helping address procurement issues, facilitating alternative dispute resolution services and reviewing procurement practices.

Thank you to public servants across the country who work every day to serve Canadians and help strengthen Canada’s public institutions.

Learn more about our Office and our mandate: opo-boa.gc.ca

Did you know?

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) helps reduce barriers to the movement of goods, services, investments and people across Canada, supporting a more open and efficient domestic market.

The CFTA also includes provisions related to federal procurement and the Office of the Procurement Ombud’s mandate and regulations.

Learn more through our Frequently Asked Questions page: opo-boa.gc.ca/faq-eng.html

Did you know? Not every procurement issue needs to end in a lengthy dispute process.

The Office of the Procurement Ombud offers Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to help suppliers and federal departments work through contract disagreements collaboratively.

ADR services can help:
✔ Improve communication
✔ Preserve business relationships
✔ Support faster resolutions

Learn more about ADR services: opo-boa.gc.ca

Back by popular demand! Register now for our FREE webinar for businesses on competition law and Made in Canada claims 👇

English session – June 4, 12:30 AM to 1:30 PM EDT: https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/compliance-and-enforcement/compliance-webinars

French session – June 4, 11 AM to 12 PM EDT: https://bureau-concurrence.canada.ca/fr/comment-nous-favorisons-concurrence/conformite-application-loi/webinaires-conformite

The Office of the Procurement Ombud will be at the CIPMM National Conference 2026! 📍

Join us on June 2nd and 3rd for presentations on key federal procurement topics:

🕒 June 2 | 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Canada’s Defence Procurement System for Major Projects

🕒 June 2 | 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. One Bid Too Few: Tackling Limited Competition in Federal Procurement

🕒 June 3 | 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Procurement Practice Review of Contracts Awarded to Indigenous Businesses

Be sure to also visit our kiosk on June 2nd and 3rd to connect with representatives from the Office and learn more about our services and resources.

We look forward to connecting with procurement professionals from across Canada and discussing evolving federal procurement practices and challenges.

The Office of the Procurement Ombud will be attending CANSEC 2026, taking place May 27–28 at the Cohere Centre in Ottawa.

Hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), CANSEC brings together industry leaders, government representatives, and procurement professionals to showcase emerging technologies and discuss evolving priorities in defence and security.

We look forward to connecting with participants and engaging in conversations regarding the work our office does.

If you’re attending, come say hello!

Earlier this month, OPO was pleased to attend the 2026 CPPC Forum in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Over the course of the event, we had the opportunity to connect with procurement professionals from across Canada, exchange insights, and engage in meaningful discussions on evolving challenges and opportunities in public procurement. Thank you to everyone who took the time to connect with us, we value these conversations and the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion and answer your questions.

Learn more about our work: 🔗 opo-boa.gc.ca

Did you know that OPO is an independent, neutral organization? We are not part of any federal department and we do not take sides. Our job is to ensure the process itself remains fair, open, and transparent for everyone involved.

DYK: Late Payments

Did you know the federal government is generally required to pay interest on invoices that are more than 30 days overdue? If you're a supplier facing consistent payment delays, we can help you navigate the steps to resolve it.