Broader Public Sector Supply Chain Code of Ethics

The Directive contains the Supply Chain Code of Ethics, which sets out basic overarching supply chain principles of conduct for Organizations, their suppliers and other stakeholders.

The Code defines acceptable behaviours for individuals involved with Supply Chain Activities. The Code does not supersede codes of ethics that Organizations may have in place, but supplements such codes with supply chain-specific standards of practice.

9.1. Adoption of the Code

Adoption of the Code consists of the following two components.

1. Organizations must formally adopt the Code in accordance with their governance processes. The intent is to clearly establish that the conduct of all Members of an Organization involved with Supply Chain Activities must be in accordance with the Code.

2. The Code must be available and visible to the Members of an Organization, suppliers and other stakeholders involved with Supply Chain Activities.

A detailed Code compliance checklist is provided in Section 9.3.

9.2. Supply Chain Code of Ethics

Ontario Broader Public Sector (BPS)

Goal: To ensure an ethical, professional and accountable BPS supply chain.

I. Personal Integrity and Professionalism

Individuals involved with Supply Chain Activities must act, and be seen to act, with integrity and professionalism. Honesty, care and due diligence must be integral to all Supply Chain Activities within and between BPS organizations, suppliers and other stakeholders. Respect must be demonstrated for each other and for the environment. Confidential information must be safeguarded. Participants must not engage in any activity that may create, or appear to create, a conflict of interest, such as accepting gifts or favours, providing preferential treatment, or publicly endorsing suppliers or products.

II. Accountability and Transparency

Supply Chain Activities must be open and accountable. In particular, contracting and purchasing activities must be fair, transparent and conducted with a view to obtaining the best value for public money. All participants must ensure that public sector resources are used in a responsible, efficient and effective manner.

III. Compliance and Continuous Improvement

Individuals involved with purchasing or other Supply Chain Activities must comply with this Code of Ethics and the laws of Canada and Ontario. Individuals should continuously work to improve supply chain policies and procedures, to improve their supply chain knowledge and skill levels, and to share leading practices.

9.3. Supply Chain Code of Ethics Compliance Checklist

This checklist is designed to assist Organizations to determine whether they have successfully adopted the key elements of the Code.

The Code:

Is formally endorsed by the board of directors or its equivalent in accordance with the Organization's governance structure;

Is distributed to all Members of an Organization involved with Supply Chain Activities, including but not limited to individuals from such departments as:

  • Procurement
  • Purchasing
  • Materials/Inventory Management
  • Planning
  • Logistics/Distribution, and
  • Accounts Payable.

Is communicated to all individuals outside the above departments who are involved with purchasing and other supply chain-related activities, such as requisitioning or supplier or product evaluation;

Is visible in procurement departments or their equivalents; and

Is easily accessible in an electronic format to all Members of an Organization, suppliers, and other stakeholders of the Organization.