Becoming a government supplier

Governments at all levels are among the biggest purchasers of goods and services. As a small business, you might want to take advantage of the opportunities they present. Depending on which level of government you wish to do business with, there are different ways to access the tenders.

Federal Government                                                        

Provincial and Municipal Government

Federal government

Thanks in part to CFIB’s fight for small businesses; the federal government now manages its own tenders via the website CanadaBuys. You can search for active tenders, register as a supplier to the federal government, and sign up for e-mail notifications—all for free!

On December 16, 2025, the federal government launched its Buy Canadian Policy to benefit Canadian suppliers and Canadian content in strategic federal procurement. Federal contracts valued at $25 million or more (expanding to contracts worth $5 million or more by spring of 2026) will give preference to businesses that invest in Canada, employ Canadians, use Canadian materials and suppliers, and contribute to the domestic economy. 

The federal government launched the Small Business Procurement Program on July 6, 2026. The program aims to respond directly to small business’ concerns that federal procurement is complex, costly, and a time burden. Changes to procurement to improve the supplier experience and reduce barriers to participation for small businesses will be phased in starting in summer 2026.

To learn more about federal procurement

The federal government offers webinars and seminars on procurement-related topics on its Procurement Assistance Canada website. 

The Canada Business Network has information and tools to help you complete the tasks required to sell to the federal government. 

Feeling overwhelmed by the federal procurement process?

Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) can help you with government contract procurement. Formerly known as the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) a key part of PAC’s mission is to encourage and assist small and medium enterprises in participating in the federal government procurement process. 

PAC can improve your access to government contract opportunities by helping you:

• Understand the federal procurement process;
• Prepare to sell to the government;
• Learn how to search for and bid on opportunities;
• Get assistance with procurement.

Having problems with a federal contract?

The Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) helps suppliers who are experiencing issues in supplying goods and services to the federal government. 

Contact the OPO if:

• You are experiencing difficulties with the administration of your contract regardless of the dollar value, or
• You have concerns regarding the award of contracts below $33,400 (for goods) and $113,800 (for services).

The OPO facilitates contract disputes both informally and through an Alternative Dispute Resolution service that is available at no cost. The OPO does not have the authority to impose a settlement or resolution but will help you and the government department reach a satisfactory, confidential, legally binding solution. 

Fighting fraud

To crack down on fraud, collusion, and corruption within federal procurement, the government and Royal Canadian Mounted Police created a centralized point of contact for providing information on suspected wrong doing in federal contracting.

If you have information on suspected bid-rigging, price-fixing, false invoicing, bribery, etc., in a federal government contract or real property agreement, you’re encouraged to report it anonymously by calling the protected toll-free line at 1-844-365-1616 or by completing the online reporting tool.

Provincial and municipal governments

MERX is an online tool that provides access to opportunities within:

• Provincial and municipal governments
• The MASH sector (school boards, health boards, etc.)
• The private sector
• U.S. federal, state and local opportunities
• Private construction service (houses, hotels, shopping malls, etc.)

It is free to view the opportunities, but there are fees for accessing additional services.

To learn more about provincial/municipal procurement

MERX offers free tutorials on several tender-related topics such as how to search for tenders and electronic bid submission. 

You have questions or need personalized support? Our Business Advisors are here to help:
1-833-568-2342 | hrnow@cfib.ca 

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