Disclosure of contracts and contract amendments exceeding $10,000

Pursuant to section 90.05 of the Access to Information Act

Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019, thereby bringing into force important changes to openness and transparency in government. Bill C-58 adds a new part to the Access to Information Act that requires institutions to proactively publish specific information or documents that are known to be of interest to the public and which will provide greater transparency in relation to the use of public funds. These requirements apply, among others, to administrative institutions that support the courts.

The provisions of the Access to Information Act in relation to the institutions that support the courts came into force 1 year after Royal Assent, namely on June 21, 2020. As a result, there are several changes in the manner in which the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) is required to publish certain information relating to contracts which are issued by or on behalf of the Supreme Court of Canada, as described below: (1) contracts that have a value of more than $10,000, (2) contracts that have a value of $10,000 or less and when amended the value exceeds $10,000 as well as (3) contracts referred to in subsection (1) and (2) which are amended so that the value is increased or decreased.

The rules and principles governing government contracting are outlined in the Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Procurement. The objective of government procurement contracting is to acquire goods and services, including construction services, in a manner that enhances access, competition and fairness and results in best value to Canada.