Canada's three Western provinces have taken another step in reducing interprovincial trade barriers by creating a simpler process to resolve complaints related to government procurement.

The bid protest mechanism is available to suppliers who have concerns that specific government procurements may not have been conducted in accordance with the New West Partnership Trade Agreement and its established principles of fair, open and transparent procurement.

When there is a complaint under this new process, the supplier and procuring entity will engage in formal consultations to try to resolve the matter. If the two sides cannot agree, the matter can go to an impartial, independent arbitrator for decision.

The July 1, 2015, effective date provides government bodies and suppliers time to familiarize themselves with the new process. It will apply to ministries, government agencies, Crown corporations, municipalities and publicly funded schools and health organizations in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan.

More information on the new process can be found on the New West Partnership Trade Agreement website at www.newwestpartnershiptrade.ca under "bid protest mechanism".

Media Contact:

Media Relations
British Columbia Ministry of International Trade
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-7293