B.C. government making changes to procurement process, aims at local business

VICTORIA – The British Columbia government is changing the system it uses to buy, sell and advertise for public services and projects.

Citizens’ Services Minister Jinny Sims says the system is being modernized to removes barriers for small, medium and Indigenous businesses.

The government spends $6 billion annually on goods and services, which includes everything from wildfire management to the maintenance and construction of bridges and roads.

Sims says the new procurement policy will focus on local firms while also meeting the province’s trade obligations.