Public procurement has been subject to governing rules from many legal sources, including trade agreements, legislation and common law. In Canada, the common law on public procurement has been established over several decades. The fundamental principles applicable to public procurement are fairness, openness, and transparency.

In this chapter, we will look at public procurement and the public purchasing cycle. We will also review the various trade agreements and territorial, provincial, and federal laws enforced in the Canadian public sector markets, as well as the controls to ensure transparency and accountability in public procurement practices.