Province Appoints Board of Directors of Supply Ontario

The Ontario government has appointed the first members to the Board of Directors of Supply Ontario, a new centralized procurement agency that will enable a whole-of-government approach to purchasing goods and services for the public, broader public and health sectors.

The board will lead the new agency in managing procurements and report to Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services to ensure the public sector, schools, and hospitals have the critical supplies and equipment they need to keep individuals and families safe, while saving taxpayers money.

Heading the agency as Chair is Paul G. Smith, a seasoned executive with senior leadership experience at privately and publicly listed companies, as well as charitable organizations. Vice Chair George Szewchuk and Members Dr. Gillian Kernaghan, Allan MacDonald and John Stipan will bring diverse regional expertise, including in health care procurement.

“The new Supply Ontario Board has diverse procurement experience and will play a vital role in helping our government purchase critical supplies needed by all Ontarians,” said Minister Thompson. “These new board members will help ensure we get good value for money, while driving innovation and stimulating homegrown job creation by buying more Ontario-made goods.”

“Creating a centralized, streamlined supply chain agency is a signature project of the Ontario Onwards Action Plan, which aims to make government programs and services simpler and easier to access,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Finance, and Minister Responsible for Digital and Data Transformation. “Through the appointment of these industry-leading experts, we’re leveraging the experience and ingenuity of our province’s best and brightest to work collectively, to harness the immense purchasing power of our province and support Ontario businesses of all sizes.”

“It is an honor for me and my fellow directors to serve the people of Ontario and the Minister’s policy objectives as we centralize procurement for the government’s 6,000 buyers,” said Paul G. Smith. “Our team will strive to meet the goals set out by the government to ensure Ontarians have access to the goods and services they need, when they need them, always with value for money in mind.”

The board’s first meeting will take place today, where it will establish its governance and make plans to build organizational capacity and stand up operations to meet the goals set out by the government.

Quick Facts

• Learn more about Supply Ontario Board of Directors.
• Read more about the agency at Ontario.ca/SupplyOntario.
• Supply Ontario was established in November 2020.
• All board members, including the chair and vice chair, are part-time and paid on a per diem basis in addition to a retainer. They are subject to Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996.
• The government may appoint up to 13 board members.