Province Launches Building Ontario Businesses Initiative

March 9, 2022

Initiative will strengthen supply chain security and boost domestic production of critical goods

March 09, 2022
Ministry of Government and Consumer Services

TORONTO – The Ontario government is continuing to strengthen the province’s supply chain security and economic growth through the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative (BOBI). BOBI will reduce barriers and provide companies in Ontario with greater access to public procurement opportunities, helping them sell more goods and services, create jobs in their local communities and recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the initiative will strengthen Ontario’s supply chain resiliency and better prepare the province for potential future emergencies.

Details were shared by Ross Romano, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, joined by Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction.

As part of BOBI, the government passed the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act, which mandates public sector entities to give Ontario businesses preference when conducting procurements for goods and services under a specified threshold amount. This legislative change will see the government targeting to spend at least $3 billion in contracts awarded to Ontario businesses annually by 2026, further creating immense economic opportunity for Ontarians.

“The Building Ontario Businesses Initiative will level the playing field for Ontario businesses vying to support our province’s procurement needs and will ensure they are able to compete with overseas businesses,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. “By harnessing our immense buying power, BOBI will allow our government to build our businesses in every corner of our province and support new jobs for our workers. We are investing in our people and unlocking our true economic potential.”

These changes will apply to the province’s overall procurements, which amount to $29 billion in goods and services annually across all public sector organizations. This immense buying power will be leveraged to help Ontario businesses in the technology and manufacturing sectors grow, create good paying jobs for Ontario workers, and secure domestic supply for critical goods required in times of crisis.

Quick Facts

Supply Ontario, a new provincial agency established to address challenges in the public sector’s supply chain system, is integral to this plan. Supply Ontario will transform and move public procurement forward in line with the BOBI, further advancing modernization to benefit our economy, businesses, and Ontarians.
The Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act is part of this year’s red tape reduction package, the Fewer Fees, Better Services Act, 2022.
The 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario is the government’s seventh financial update since the pandemic began, highlighting the government’s commitment to providing regular updates on Ontario’s finances, even during this uncertain economic period. It is part of the government’s plan for recovery driven by economic growth.
Businesses and organizations looking to apply to the extended Ontario Together Fund can now submit through Available Funding Opportunities from the Ontario Government.

Quotes

“Local businesses are the engine of the Ontario economy and their strength is vital to our Province’s economic recovery. In this global economy, we are working to ensure those businesses can compete locally by increasing capacity and strengthening the supply chain to support Ontario businesses and the people and families that rely on them.”

– Vic Fedeli
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

“One of our government’s top priorities is ensuring Ontario is open for business. That means creating and protecting jobs, supporting businesses, and increasing investment and trade, so Ontario’s economy can grow and thrive. The Building Ontario Businesses Initiative will help unleash the province’s full potential and fuel Ontario’s recovery and future prosperity.”

– Nina Tangri
Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction

“Supporting Ontario businesses is a key part of our government’s efforts to protect the people and jobs of our province as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. By leveraging public sector spending, the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative will spur economic growth and level the playing field for job creators and businesses in every corner of Ontario.”

– Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria
President of the Treasury Board

Additional Resources