Join us for the Office of the Procurement Ombudsman’s 5th annual Diversifying the Federal Supply Chain Summit. This virtual Summit aims to promote federal contracting opportunities for underrepresented groups including Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized Canadians, women, 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians, persons with disabilities, and others.

Designed to increase the diversity of the federal procurement supply chain, the 2 day Summit will:

• Provide you with practical skills needed to win federal government contracts
• Introduce you to key thought leaders and knowledgeable speakers
• Connect you with representatives from the Government of Canada, supplier council programs, and others who can help your business

Agenda overview

All times are in Eastern Time.

Day 1 – April 4, 2023

• 11:00 am – 11:10 am—Opening address by Elder
• 11:10 am – 11:20 am—Welcome by MC and opening remarks by Procurement Ombudsman
• 11:20 am – 11:40 am—Keynote address by The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
• 11:40 am – 11:55 am—Recorded remarks by The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada
• 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm—Lightning round by Government of Canada’s organizations on the various services offered to businesses across Canada
  • Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
  • Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
  • Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB)
  • Scale-up Initiative from Shared Services Canada and TECHNATION
• 12:45 pm – 1:10 pm—Health break
• 1:10 pm – 2:20 pm—Update on Public Services and Procurement Canada’s policies and initiatives:
  • Social procurement policy
  • Accessible procurement
  • Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) Coaching services
  • CanadaBuys
• 2:20 pm – 3:15 pm—Panel discussion by supplier councils
  • Women Business Enterprises Canada (WBE Canada)
  • Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
  • Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)
  • Inclusive Workplace & Supply Council of Canada (IWSCC)
  • Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
• 3:30 pm – 4:10 pm—Concurrent Breakout sessions
  • Breakout session 1—Funding for your business
    • National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
    • RISE
    • BDC
    • Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society
  • Breakout session 2—Security clearances
• 4:10 pm – 4:30 pm—Brief presentation by the Office of the Procurement Ombudsman

Day 2 – April 5, 2023

• 1:00 pm – 1:25 pm—Welcoming remarks by MC and Deputy Procurement Ombudsman
• 1:25 pm – 2:25 pm—Workshop: Procurement Assistance Canada—Doing Business with the Government of Canada
• 2:25 pm – 2:30 pm—Closing Remarks by Procurement Ombudsman and Closing Address by Elder
• 2:30 pm – 2:35 pm—Health break
• 2:35 pm – 4:00 pm—Speed mentoring sessions

Free via Zoom (with other options to join). Simultaneous and sign language interpretation, as well as closed-captioning will be available.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

About OPO

The Office of the Procurement Ombudsman (OPO) is a neutral and independent organization of the Government of Canada that helps resolve contracting disputes between businesses and the federal government. Learn more about OPO