Province Supports Local Governments to Invest In Community

Some good news to share! The Province has announced a $500,000 investment to expand the British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI). BCSPI launched in 2016 with just six local governments on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Today, with 29 members and this provincial funding BCSPI can expand province-wide. The initiative encourages local governments and organizations to pool resources and make purchasing decisions that achieve both monetary and social values. Small businesses and local workers throughout British Columbia will benefit as local government purchasing dollars are invested back into communities.

The District of Squamish joined BCSPI in 2020 with the goal of aligning our procurement policies and practices with the values of the community. We adopted a new procurement policy in December 2020 to achieve social value objectives such as reduced Green House Gas emissions, low carbon materials, learning opportunities among marginalized populations, increased local business opportunities, ethical sourcing, as well as value for money. Our new policy has been central to the decision-making criteria of several capital projects, including the new Fire Hall, 2021 watermain upgrades, water meter consulting services and Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade consulting services.  

Social procurement will ensure that future supplier contracts the District enters into, both large and small, will be evaluated and awarded in a way that will go far beyond ‘best value for money', and become a tool for building a healthier community. This means that each purchase will become more than just a financial transaction, an opportunity for economic, environmental and social impact.

Wednesday’s announcement is a boost for local governments across B.C. and we thank the provincial government and ministers involved for their contribution. Squamish will be an active participant in BCSPI and looks forward to encouraging other local governments, school boards, and organizations to join BCSPI and access the tools and training to get the most value and benefit from their procurement spend.

Read the Provincial announcement here.

View the District’s procurement policy here.

June 18, 2021