University acquisitions have been governed by Canadian competitive law, the Agreement on Internal Trade (federal), Bill 122 (provincial), the Ontario / Quebec Agreement and Policy 17. As of July 1/17, the Agreement on Internal Trade has been updated and renamed Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and The Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union, effective Sept 21/17. These trade agreements now govern how we do business.
Canadian Free Trade Agreement
Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive
The Broader Public Sector Supply Chain Secretariat oversees implementation of the BPS Procurement Directive, which sets out procurement rules in the purchase of goods and services with public funds under the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010. The University is committed to promoting fair, transparent and open procurement processes to its vendors as required by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between Ontario and Quebec (OQTCA), Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Ontario Broader Public Section Procurement Directive (BPS). Exemptions per allocations of public award may be available where permitted, all procurement acquisitions exceeding $121,200.00 are posted by the University. Access to tender notices for procurement opportunities within Ontario’s broader public sector, refer to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement website.
Trent University currently uses Merx and Bonfire as our public electronic tendering service to solicit bids for goods and services valued at $121,200.00 or more. Trent University uses Bonfire Public Purchasing Portal to receive bid responses electronically. Suppliers who are interested in our bidding opportunities need to register with Bonfire and Merx to access all our publicly posted opportunities.
Canada's Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act
Purchasing Services is committed to acquiring goods and services at the best total value for the University while ensuring ethical, efficient and accountable sourcing practices. It is expected that our suppliers will act with integrity and in an ethical manner ensuring fair wages for their employees, promote safe working practices, and uphold the human rights of their employees.
Trent University’s Annual Report for the period of May 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025, Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act (Formerly Bill S-211)