Our media monitoring team recently conducted a six-month analysis of newsreel trends (see our website for our monthly newsreel roundups for April through September of this year) and identified the following top three Canadian procurement news stories for the second and third quarters of 2025:
1. Trade Intrigues Lead to Politicized Procurement
As reflected by the following newsreel highlights, recent international trade intrigues led to the politicization of procurement decisions with many federal, provincial and municipal institutions struggling to maintain rules-based awards and secure global supply chains while facing political pressure to reject US and other foreign suppliers in favour of Canadian companies:
Canada Announces “Buy Canadian” Strategy
Experts Question Canada’s NATO Target Plan
Industry Group Lobbies Ontario to Cancel US Award
Industry Group Challenges Durham’s Asphalt Deal
Ontario Pays Fee to Cancel US Starlink Deal
Ontario Minister Pushes TTC Sole-Source
Feds Approve TTC Subway Sole-Source
Saskatchewan Maintains US Suppliers
Saskatchewan Backs Down on US Tariffs
Calgary Fire Dept Relies on US Equipment
No Canadian Bids for BC Ferry Tender
BC Premier Refuses to Intervene on Ferry Bids
Federal Transport Minister Slams BC Ferry Bids
BC Ferries Pushes Back on Foreign Bid Criticism
2. Procurement Governance Challenges
As reflected by the following newsreel highlights, public institutions at all levels of government across Canada faced ongoing challenges in complying with bidding rules and properly executing on their major projects:
AG Says Government “Incapable” of Following Rules
Canada Bars ArriveCan Contractor
Phoenix Boondoggle Costs Canadians Over $5B
Feds Sue Contractor over Kingston Bridge Collapse
Newfoundland Nurse Audit Flags Possible Fraud
Nova Scotia Defends 15% Non-Competitive Awards
Nova Scotia Faces High Costs in Housing Bids
Manitoba Audit Finds Municipal Procurement Breaches
Montreal Inspector to Investigate Lost Bid
Toronto School Board Denies Improper Sole-Source
3. Alberta Health Services Procurement Controversy
As reflected by the following newsreel highlights, the Alberta government is dealing with a high-profile controversy over allegations of procurement irregularities at Alberta Health Services which has resulted in, among other things, an improper dismissal lawsuit filed by the former head of AHS, a defamation lawsuit filed by the premier’s former chief of staff, and an expanding probe by Alberta’s Auditor General:
Alberta Health Under Fire Over Procurement Probe
Former Chief of Staff Sues Fired AHS Head for Libel
Alberta Auditor Intervenes in AHS Lawsuit
