4005 – Procurement
- Legal References
- Public Sector Accountability Act (2010)
- Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
- Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Broader Public Sector Accountability, Government of Ontario
- Related References
- Board Policy 4008 – Signing Authority and Segregation of Duties
- Board Policy 4015 – Procurement Cards
- Board Policy 4018 – Fraud Management
Administrative Procedure 4360 – Principals of Business Conduct For Board Employees
Administrative Procedure 4015 – Ethical Purchasing of Apparel
Administrative Procedure 4570 – Procurement - Effective Date
- March 30, 1998
- Revision
- November 14, 2016, February 12, 2018
- Reviewed
- October 19, 2020, June 9, 2025
1. Purpose
1.1. The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) undertakes public procurement that meets the needs of learners, educators, and staff.
2. Application
2.1 Sound and ethical business practices shall be followed by all persons who acquire products and/or services on behalf of the WRDSB, including all departments, schools, school funds, school councils and any other related organizations. These practices include:
- Adherence to the Board’s Supply Chain Code of Ethics as outlined in Appendix 1; and
- Adherence to the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive as issued by the Ministry of Finance; and
- Adherence to national and international trade agreements.
2.2 The WRDSB will purchase products and services which take into account environmental, health and safety factors, and will not knowingly purchase goods and/or services from manufacturers who operate in contravention of local and international labour law and standards.
2.3 The WRDSB will endeavor to support Canadian businesses, where permissible by legislation and within fiscal constraints.
Appendix 1
Waterloo Region District School Board
Supply Chain Code of Ethics
Goal: To ensure an ethical, professional and accountable Waterloo Region District School Board supply chain.
I. Personal Integrity and Professionalism
All individuals involved with purchasing or other supply chain-related activities must act, and be seen to act, with integrity and professionalism. Honesty, care and due diligence must be integral to all supply chain activities within and between the WRDSB, suppliers and other stakeholders. Respect must be demonstrated for each other and for the environment. Confidential information must be safeguarded. All participants must not engage in any activity that may create, or appear to create, a conflict of interest, such as accepting gifts or favours, providing preferential treatment, or publicly endorsing suppliers or products.
II. Accountability and Transparency
Supply chain activities must be open and accountable. In particular, contracting and purchasing activities must be fair, transparent and conducted with a view to obtaining the best value for public money. All participants must ensure that public sector resources are used in a responsible, efficient and effective manner.
III. Compliance and Continuous Improvement
All individuals involved in purchasing or other supply chain-related activities must comply with this Code of Ethics and the laws of Canada and Ontario. All individuals should continuously work to improve supply chain policies and procedures, to improve their supply chain knowledge and skill levels, and to share leading practices.1
1 Source: Ontario Broader Public Sector (BPS) Supply Chain Code of Ethics
