Social Procurement for COVID-19 Recovery

COVID-19 is having a significant impact on our local economies

Small businesses in BC represent 98% of all businesses and employ 57% of all private sector employees
90% of SMEs are currently being impacted with many facing closure
The tourism industry has seen cancellations on 90% of bookings
The tourism and hospitality industries are heavily affected
Unemployment rates are rising
Social impacts are becoming increasingly evident.

Are the dollars you spend supporting your local economy?

Social procurement is a solution that governments and institutional purchasers can implement to stabilize and recover local economies and unlock additional social, environmental & ethical outcomes from existing purchasing. Social procurement practices can help ensure the dollars you spend are aligned with local community and economic needs during COVID-19 recovery.

The British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) provides the capacity building resources, training and support and support required to implement social procurement effectively as a key tool in the COVID-19 recovery toolbox.

Procurement, Resilient Economies and COVID-19

This special webinar, presented by David LePage of Buy Social Canada and Rory Kulmala of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, outlines how social procurement approaches can support local COVID-19-related adaptation and recovery efforts.

Opportunities to implement social procurement for a strong recovery

Utilize trade agreement exemptions to purchase from nonprofits and social enterprises

Raise your internal threshold amounts to match the trade agreements

Use your small spends to buy goods and services from local businesses

Consider unbundling larger contracts so that local businesses can compete

Identify and prepare for shovel ready infrastructure projects that support local employment

Include social value considerations in all purchasing, RFx and infrastructure projects

3-6 month plan: Align your procurement to community priorities

Find Out More

Check out the 2-page Procurement, Resilient Economies and COVID-19 info sheet for more information.

Read Now

How do I become a member of BCSPI?
Check out the information on our membership page

How can I learn more about BCSPI?
Contact Robert Fisher, Project Coordinator at rfisher@scalecollaborative.ca