Contracting Policy Notice: 2017-3 – Canadian Free Trade Agreement
Contracting Policy Notice: 2017-3
File No: 7010-000-006
Date: June 1, 2017
To: Functional Heads, Administration and Finance of all Departments and Agencies
Background
The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) will enter into force on July 1, 2017. The CFTA is a domestic trade agreement among the provinces, territories and federal government, which will replace the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). As with all free trade agreements (FTAs), the entire Government Procurement Chapter should be consulted to identify Canada’s obligations and the exceptions which are available regarding potential contracts.
Until the CFTA enters into force, any procurement commencing before July 1, 2017 will be subject to the AIT Procurement Chapter. The procurement process begins once an entity has decided on its requirement.
Covered Entities
All government entities, including Crown corporations will be subject to the obligations of the Government Procurement Chapter, except for the following entities expressly excluded in Section A of Canada’s Schedule to Annex 520.1 (Party-Specific Exceptions):
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service;
- Communications Security Establishment;
- Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada;
- Bank of Canada;
- Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and its subsidiaries;
- Public Sector Pension Investment Board and its subsidiaries;
- Senate;
- House of Commons;
- Library of Parliament;
- Office of the Senate Ethics Officer;
- Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner; and
- Parliamentary Protective Service.
In addition, Section B (Exceptions and Notes) of Canada’s Schedule to Annex 520.1 (Party-Specific Exceptions) lists types of procurement that are not subject to the Government Procurement Chapter, including procurement by certain and described entities.
Goods, Services and Construction
All goods are covered. Most services and construction are also covered with some exceptions. To understand how the exceptions apply, the Government Procurement Chapter, Article 504 (Scope and Coverage), Canada’s Schedule to Annex 520.1, Chapter 8 (General Exceptions) and Chapter 12 (Final Provisions) should be reviewed.
Thresholds
|
Departments and Agencies | Crown Corporations |
|---|---|---|
| Goods | $25,000 | $500,000 |
| Services, excluding construction | $100,000 | $500,000 |
| Construction | $100,000 | $5,000,000 |
Note that the thresholds will be adjusted for inflation every two years commencing January 1, 2018.
Procedural obligations
Covered entities are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the procedural obligations found in the text of the CFTA’s Government Procurement Chapter. Procedural obligations cover, for example, the posting periods for Tender Notices, the information that must be included in notices, the content of tender documentation, the circumstances for the use of limited tendering and the publication of award information.
Reporting and information requirements
Covered entities are responsible for reporting annually the number and aggregate value of CFTA-covered, procurement-contract awards.
References
Enquiries
For matters of content regarding the Government Procurement Chapter of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, please contact the Internal Trade Promotion Office of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
For information on the Treasury Board’s Contracting Policy, please visit TBS Public Enquiries or email Publicenquiries-demandesderenseignement@tbs-sct.gc.ca
Original signed by:
Kathleen Owens
Assistant Comptroller General
Acquired Services and Assets Sector
Office of the Comptroller General
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