Two years ago, OPBA began a deliberate journey to strengthen awareness and build practices that support a more inclusive and responsive association. As a first step, we invited members to join a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. What began as a small group of members grew steadily into a dedicated committee, strengthening its capacity and commitment to learning, listening, and leading change.
Through an environmental scan and exploration of leading practices across other organizations, the Committee deepened its understanding of how OPBA can better serve its members and the broader procurement community.
This work culminated in two important documents, both of which are posted on the OPBA website.
In May 2026, the OPBA Board of Directors formally approved both Statements, along with their supporting action plans.
Why these statements matter now
Public procurement is evolving in a context of heightened expectations for fairness, accessibility, reconciliation, and inclusive economic participation. Members are navigating increasingly complex environments where decisions have broader social, economic, and community impact.
As a professional association, OPBA has an important role to play – we must demonstrate leadership in these areas while supporting members in meeting the demands of their roles.
These Statements are important because they:
- Set clear expectations for how OPBA will support members in applying inclusive and equitable practices in their work
- Provide a practical roadmap for action, ensuring our intentions translate into measurable progress
- Demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation, relationship-building, and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities
- Align OPBA with leading practices across the public sector and professional associations
Year 1 Priorities
The Statements are supported by focused Year 1 goals:
DEI Statement of Commitment
- Foster a culture of active participation and diverse perspectives
- Ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources within OPBA and the procurement community
- Engage partners to pursue joint initiatives, shared resources, and mutual learning
Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Engagement
- Foster respect and a sustained commitment to reconciliation
- Build meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and partners
- Provide educational opportunities and share relevant programs, services, and resources
- Engage all levels of government to align efforts and identify opportunities for collaboration
- Embed land acknowledgements across OPBA activities, tools, and resources
The DEI Committee will provide annual updates to members on progress and outcomes.
Next Steps:
Provide annual updates to members on OPBA’s progress in achieving the priorities
Develop and share resources to support members in their learning and understanding journey
OPBA thanks the Committee members for their leadership and dedication to this important work.
Committee Members:
Jodi Houston, Chair Lorraine Gilmour
Savan Harsh Andrea McLeod
Abishek Ravel Ann-Marie Ricketts
Karl Nana Payong Kim Squires
Umeira Vijendra