Contracting Policy Notice 2023-2: Amendments to the Directive on the Management of Procurement to Strengthen Internal Controls

Overview

Canadians expect that procurement in the Government of Canada is well-managed and safeguarded through internal controls. They also expect reliable reporting that provides transparency and accountability for how public funds are spent to achieve results for Canadians.

The Directive on the Management of Procurement has been amended to set responsibilities for Senior Designated Officials for ensuring that departmental procurement management frameworks include risk-based systems of internal control that are maintained, monitored, and reviewed to:

• provide reasonable assurance that procurement transactions are carried out in accordance with the framework, and applicable laws, regulations, and policies; and
• ensure the accuracy, completeness and timely proactive publishing of information on contracts over $10,000.

In addition to existing responsibilities for ensuring that accurate and comprehensive procurement records are created and maintained to facilitate management oversight and audit, contracting authorities are also now responsible for ensuring records related to the following are created and maintained:

• appropriate justification for using a non-competitive process, in accordance with the Government Contracts Regulations; and
• a copy of the contract or contractual arrangement.

Throughout the directive, the term ‘proactive disclosure’ has been revised to ‘proactive publication’.

Departments are advised to update their departmental procurement management framework to reflect the changes.

Inquiries

Questions about this policy notice should be directed to Public Enquiries.

Samantha Tattersall
Assistant Comptroller General, Acquired Services and Assets Sector
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat