Field Guide
Plain-language reference — procurement codes, trade agreements and the terminology, explained.
14 articles
Where Canadian public tenders are posted: a province-by-province guide
A plain-English map of the portals Canadian governments, cities and school boards use to post tenders, from CanadaBuys to each province and territory.
A guide to Canada’s federal fiscal year-end and how it affects procurement timing
Canada's federal fiscal year runs April to March, driving a March tender rush and a slower April start — here's how to plan your bidding around it.
Green and sustainable procurement in Canada — what buyers are asking for
Learn what green and sustainable procurement criteria mean for your bid, from life-cycle costing to certifications, and how to prove it convincingly.
What is re-tendering, and how do you predict when a contract will come back to market?
Re-tendering happens when a government contract ends. Learn the signals that predict when a contract will return to market, so you can prepare early.
A guide to Canada’s procurement ombudsman and how to file a complaint
A plain-language guide to Canada's Procurement Ombudsman: who can complain, deadlines, thresholds, and how to file for free.
What tariffs mean for your bid pricing — a plain-language guide
Tariffs can silently erase your margin on a fixed-price bid. Here's how to spot the exposure and price around it before you submit.
Understanding NAICS and how it maps to Canadian procurement codes
NAICS codes classify your industry for Canadian tenders. Here's how they work, how they differ from GSIN and UNSPSC, and why they matter more in 2026.
What is a Supplier Registration Information (SRI) profile, and why do you need one?
An SRI profile is your official supplier record on CanadaBuys — here's what it includes, why keeping it accurate now affects Buy Canadian eligibility.
Federal vs provincial vs municipal procurement — how the three levels differ
Federal, provincial and municipal procurement in Canada run on different portals and rules — here's how each level works, and where to focus first.
What is the Buy Canadian Policy? A plain-language explainer
Canada's new Buy Canadian Policy gives Canadian suppliers a scoring edge on federal contracts. Here's what it covers, and what's changing next.
Trade agreement thresholds explained — WTO-AGP, CFTA and CUSMA
A plain-language guide to WTO-AGP, CFTA and CUSMA thresholds: the dollar limits that decide which suppliers can bid on a Canadian government contract.
What is CUSMA, and how does it affect Canadian procurement in 2026?
CUSMA sets the rules on who can bid on Canadian government contracts. Here's what it means for your business in 2026.
A plain-language glossary of Canadian government procurement terms
A plain-language glossary of the procurement terms, trade agreement codes and 2026 Buy Canadian rules every Canadian small business bidder should know.
GSIN, UNSPSC and NAICS: Canadian procurement codes explained
Government tenders are classified by code, not keyword. Understanding GSIN, UNSPSC and NAICS is how you make sure the right opportunities actually reach you.