Guidance for the Provincial Procurement Restriction on U.S. Businesses
To: TMU Financial Information Systems users and departmental and administrative assistants
Cc: Leaders
As you may know, the Government of Ontario has introduced a Procurement Restriction Policy (PRP) designed to restrict United States (U.S.) businesses from accessing public sector procurements in Ontario.
All new university purchases will need to take into consideration the Procurement Restriction Policy in combination with the university’s existing requirements around competitive procurement processes.
We ask that you please share this email with those in your area who may be involved in purchasing goods or services on behalf of the university.
What this means for you
If your department or unit purchases goods or services for the university, please be aware that the PRP will now require you to give preference to non-U.S. businesses. This further supports the existing Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act (BOBIA) which requires TMU to purchase from Ontario businesses where possible.
Exceptions for selecting U.S. businesses are permitted if a supplier is the only viable option and the purchase cannot be delayed. In such cases, a (google form) Non-Ontario and U.S. Business Exception Form (external link) must be submitted along with additional approvals. Find more under the exceptions section of the Guidance for the Provincial Procurement Restriction on U.S. Businesses page.
Support navigating PRP requirements
During request for proposal processes, Financial Services will work with departments and units to ensure compliance with existing trade agreements and the PRP. If you are not pursuing an RFP, please refer to the Guidance for the Provincial Procurement Restriction on U.S. Businesses page for more guidance.
If you are a researcher requiring support at any point in the procurement process, please contact the Purchasing Services unit.
What is considered a U.S. business?
Under the Procurement Restriction Policy, a U.S. business is defined as any supplier, manufacturer or distributor that:
- has its headquarters or its main office in the United States; and
- has fewer than 250 full-time employees in Canada at the time of the procurement process.
The university can rely on the representation of the vendor regarding their status as a U.S. business as defined by the PRP.
How to comply with the PRP
To comply with the PRP in tandem with BOBIA, you will need to:
- buy from an Ontario or non-U.S. business;
- use an existing vendor of record that has been pre-qualified by TMU; or
- document an approved exception to purchase from a U.S. business under specific conditions.
Specific details can be found on the Guidance for the Provincial Procurement Restriction on U.S. Businesses page of the Financial Services website.
Virtual training session
A workshop outlining compliance with the U.S. Procurement Restriction Policy will be held on June 6, 2025 from 10 to 11 a.m. Register your attendance for the workshop via the Learning Events Calendar.
If you’re unable to attend the June 6 session, Purchasing Services is available to attend unit meetings to provide an overview of policy requirements, by request.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please visit the Guidance for the Provincial Procurement Restriction on U.S. businesses page or contact the Purchasing Services unit within Financial Services.