We buy materials, equipment and services utilizing professional and  ethical business conduct that cultivates mutually profitable long-term business relationships with competent firms.

Our buying strategies and practices are intended to maximize, through competition, the  value of the money we spend for the  goods and services we require. We rely on effective support from our suppliers and contractors.

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We establish and employ standards that help us ensure the best value.  Free services or samples are neither solicited nor accepted without written agreement as to our obligations to the source, and personal gifts or favours are actively discouraged.

We select only those contractors to compete for our work that we believe are knowledgeable and competent to meet our health, safety and the environmental requirements. We manage the contract and monitor the work or work results to ensure compliance. Our key health, safety and environmental considerations are included in the development of our contracts.

All things being equal we give preference to suppliers and contractors according to their proximity to our point of use. We recognize that encouraging local and Canadian business development is to our long-term benefit. Local firms are given every reasonable opportunity to compete for our business.

Business Methods

We primarily use a bid invitation process to select suppliers and contractors but we do use alternative methods when circumstances, in our judgment, warrant such action. Our evaluation and award of business considers both the price offered and other non-price factors. Information is not routinely disclosed regarding bids, negotiations, evaluations, or awards.

Inventory

We carry inventory only if the cost of not having goods on hand will exceed our inventory carrying. We carry only those quantities of inventory which yield the lowest overall cost to us and we rely on our suppliers for consistent delivery. Inventory is not routinely sold to outsiders.

Information & Access

Representatives of suppliers and contractors are received at our discretion or in accordance with any contractual arrangements. We reasonably control access to our facilities and information, having in mind our safety and operating needs, and the security of our information. Information shared with us in the course of business is treated with respect and we do not routinely allow our name to be used in promotions by other firms.