When collaboration meets smart procurement

In an era when Canada's economic future depends on our ability to be resourceful, resilient and self-sufficient, the Canadian Collaborative Procurement Initiative (CCPI) stands as an example of how smart collaboration can transform public service. By uniting governments and public sector organizations, CCPI is driving real savings, streamlining processes and delivering better services to Canadians.

Since 2017, Nancy Finnegan, Business Analyst at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), has played a leading role in CCPI's evolution. Her passion for efficiency and inclusion has helped shape a program that now reaches far beyond federal borders. "We share ready-to-use tools. No need to redo an entire procurement process," she explains, highlighting the initiative's core mission: to centralize procurement tools and make them accessible to provinces, territories, municipalities, and academic and healthcare institutions.

Ensuring efficiency that benefits everyone

CCPI isn't just about saving money; it's about saving time, reducing duplication and improving access for both buyers and suppliers. "We give them the recipe for success: simplified guides and clear references," says Finnegan, referring to the support provided to users who may not be procurement experts, including those in administrative or operational roles navigating complex contracts.

CCPI also eases legal complexities and streamlines operations. "The initiative delivers tangible benefits, such as cost savings, improved access to goods and services, and reduced administrative burden for participating organizations," adds Katherine Morrison, Manager of Federal, Provincial, Territorial and International Relations at PSPC, which administers CCPI.

Each participating province has a designated CCPI coordinator, and collaboration is fostered through working groups and forums. This structure ensures that issues are addressed quickly and that lessons learned are passed on efficiently. "As we expand, we need to clearly define roles, share knowledge and organize communication effectively," Finnegan notes.

Saving costs and time for participants

For Tom Thomson, Fire Chief of Drayton Valley/Brazeau County Fire Services in Alberta, joining CCPI in 2024 greatly helped his organization. "It enabled our department to access the top-of-the-line radios for a very decent price." He explains how it reduces costs as well as timelines. "We had initially started working on an implementation plan for 5 years due to the cost of the radios. By using this program, we have been able to reduce the time by 2 years and still saved money."

As for Anton Kyrylyuk, Director of Procurement at the First Nations Health Authority, using CCPI allows the organization to improve its procurement capabilities and pass along savings to its regional operations. "CCPI strengthens our procurement posture by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and fostering collaboration across Canada's public sector landscape. For us, it means we can serve British Columbia First Nation communities more effectively while supporting local and national economic goals."

Building trust and advancing economic growth

While these benefits highlight the positive impact of CCPI on procurement efficiency and cost savings, the journey is not without its complexities. One of the challenges is aligning diverse procurement needs and policies across jurisdictions. "Building trust and ensuring transparency in the process requires ongoing dialogue, flexibility and a commitment to shared goals," describes Morrison.

CCPI integrates environmental and social criteria into its procurement tools, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, women-led businesses and public safety initiatives. "It supports sustainability by enabling participants to select green or sustainable procurement tools," Morrison explains.

CCPI also increases the vitality of the Canadian economy by supporting supplier growth. "It fosters an environment where suppliers can expand their markets by offering streamlined access to different government levels, thus encouraging competitive pricing and innovation," thinks Kyrylyuk.

Making a personal and professional commitment

Finnegan's journey from the private sector to the heart of public service procurement has shaped her approach. "It's about making sure every decision has impact and integrity."

Morrison echoes this sentiment, pointing to CCPI's growing reach and impact. "It's incredibly rewarding to contribute to an initiative that strengthens public sector collaboration and delivers real value to Canadians," she says. "Especially in times of global uncertainty, having resilient, efficient and cooperative procurement mechanisms is more important than ever."

Morrison is also proud of the growing number and diversity of participants in CCPI, from provinces and territories to municipalities, academic institutions, schools and hospitals, as well as aid agencies, public health organizations and Crown corporations. "The expanding reach of the initiative shows how collaborative procurement can truly serve a wide range of public sector needs across Canada."

On the participant's side, Thomson speaks highly of the CCPI team and program: "The vendor that we worked with was very helpful and great to deal with. We truly appreciate the support in making this happen and allowing us the opportunity to be a part of it."

With its expanding network, evolving tools, great customer service and commitment to sustainability, CCPI is more than a procurement program; it's a blueprint for how governments can work together to serve Canadians better.

To learn more about PSPC employees, projects and services making a difference for Canadians, read other articles on Our stories.