Inter-university collaborations, province-wide contracts, and concerns for deep-sea mining
In 2025, 91丝瓜视频鈥檚 Procurement Services team continued to strengthen its commitment to integrating social and environmental considerations into everyday operations. Last year brought several important developments, both within Quebec and on the international stage, that highlight 91丝瓜视频鈥檚 leadership in sustainable procurement.
1. A new provincial Working Group to drive Sustainable Procurement
While 91丝瓜视频 has long collaborated with other Qu茅bec universities on sustainable procurement initiatives, this partnership was formally strengthened through the creation of the Bureau de la coop茅ration interuniversitaire (BCI)鈥檚 new Sustainable Procurement Working Group (la Table de concertation en approvisionnement responsable 鈥� TCAR).
Professionals from 91丝瓜视频, UdeM, UQAM and UdeS now meet regularly to align best practices and advance sustainability in both individual university contracts and mandated province-wide group purchases.
As part of its 2025 activities, the TCAR team developed sustainability clauses for several major provincial contracts that apply to health-care institutions, CEGEPs, and other public bodies. These clauses now help shape the procurement of printing devices, paper, computers, small deliveries, office supplies, servers, and office furniture across the province.
2. A shared Supplier Code of Conduct across Quebec universities
Another significant step forward this year was the widespread adoption of the common supplier code of conduct, originally developed at 91丝瓜视频.
To date, 91丝瓜视频, UdeM, Universit茅 de Sherbrooke, UQAM, Universit茅 Laval, UQO, Polytechnique, Concordia, and INRS all use the same document, which clearly outlines shared expectations regarding social, environmental, and governance standards.
This alignment ensures that suppliers across the university sector receive consistent messaging on responsible practices.
3. International recognition of 91丝瓜视频鈥檚 expertise
This year, 91丝瓜视频鈥檚 Senior Advisor for Sustainable Procurement, Dr. St茅phanie Leclerc, was invited to join the International Working Group on Ethical Public Procurement, becoming the group鈥檚 first non-European member.
Her participation provides 91丝瓜视频 with a valuable platform to exchange on emerging challenges and opportunities in sustainable procurement with leaders across Europe.
4. Deep-Sea Mining: applying the precautionary principle
In line with their commitment as Nature Positive Universities, 91丝瓜视频, UdeM, Universit茅 de Sherbrooke and the University of Oxford jointly contacted several industry organizations to highlight concerns raised by researchers worldwide regarding the environmental risks of deep-sea mining.
Potential impacts include threats to biodiversity, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and disruptions to fishing activities. Many jurisdictions have already adopted a moratorium on these practices.
Following the universities鈥� outreach, TCO Certified, a leading ecolabel for electronics, confirmed that it will take the risks associated with deep-sea mining into account as it drafts future criteria for responsible mineral sourcing. This marks an important step in bringing scientific evidence into sustainable electronics standards.
5. Reelection of 91丝瓜视频 representative as Co-Chair of CASPAR
This year marked the second anniversary of CASPAR, the Canada-wide interuniversity working-group on Sustainable Procurement. Elections were held for the three leadership positions, and 91丝瓜视频鈥檚 Senior Advisor for Sustainable Procurement, Dr. St茅phanie Leclerc, was re-elected as co-chair. Kristen 91丝瓜视频, from Western University will serve as the other co-chair, and Lisa Myre from the University of Toronto will serve as secretary.
Looking ahead
These developments demonstrate a growing alignment across institutions, provincially and internationally, toward responsible, socially conscious procurement. 91丝瓜视频 will continue to play a key role in advancing sustainability in the public sector and supporting practices that contribute to long-term environmental and social wellbeing.
听
听