CanadaBuys Guide: Everything You Need to Know [2026]

TL;DR: CanadaBuys is Canada's official federal procurement portal with 685+ active tenders from 75 departments. Registration is free but the search is clunky. GovBid monitors CanadaBuys daily and sends you only the contracts that match your business.

For a side-by-side feature comparison, see our GovBid vs CanadaBuys comparison.

CanadaBuys is the Government of Canada's official procurement platform. If you want to sell goods or services to the Canadian federal government, this is where you need to be. It replaced the older BuyAndSell.gc.ca system and is the single source for all federal tender opportunities.

As of March 2026, CanadaBuys lists 685 active tenders from 75 different government departments and agencies. Here's everything you need to know to use it effectively.

What Is CanadaBuys?

CanadaBuys (canadabuys.canada.ca) is the federal government's electronic tendering system. It's where departments like Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), National Defence (DND), Shared Services Canada, and dozens more post their procurement needs.

The platform is:

• Free to use — No subscription fee to view or bid on tenders
• Mandatory for federal procurement — All federal departments must post tenders above certain thresholds on CanadaBuys
• Bilingual — Available in English and French
• Open — Any business, Canadian or international, can view tenders (some are limited to Canadian suppliers)

What's On CanadaBuys Right Now

Based on GovBid's tracking of CanadaBuys data (March 2026):

Top Departments by Volume

PSPC acts as the procurement arm for most of the government, so it's not surprising they dominate. DND (National Defence) is second, with a steady stream of construction, maintenance, and supply contracts.

Tenders by Province

The 352 "national" tenders are contracts where the government hasn't specified a province — meaning suppliers from anywhere in Canada can bid. This is the largest single category.

How to Register on CanadaBuys

Step 1: Create a Government of Canada Account

Go to canadabuys.canada.ca and create an account using your GCKey or Sign-In Partner credentials. If you don't have either, you'll need to register for a GCKey first.

Step 2: Set Up Your Supplier Profile

Once logged in, complete your supplier profile:

• Business legal name and operating name
• Business Number (BN) — your CRA-issued business number
• GSIN codes — Goods and Services Identification Numbers that describe what you sell
• UNSPSC codes — United Nations Standard Products and Services Codes (international classification)
• Contact information for the person who handles procurement

Step 3: Get a Procurement Business Number (PBN)

Some tenders require a PBN. You get this automatically when you register as a supplier on CanadaBuys. Keep it handy — you'll need it when submitting bids.

Step 4: Set Up Saved Searches

CanadaBuys lets you save search queries and receive email notifications when new matching tenders are posted. Set these up using your GSIN codes and relevant keywords.

How to Search CanadaBuys Effectively

The search interface on CanadaBuys works, but it has limitations. Here's how to get the most out of it:

Use GSIN Codes, Not Just Keywords

The most common mistake is relying only on keyword search. Government tender titles don't use the same language businesses use. A construction company searching for "renovation" might miss tenders titled "Interior Fit-Up — Office Space Reconfiguration."

Instead, find your GSIN codes (the government's classification system) and search by code. You'll catch tenders regardless of how they're worded.

To find your GSIN codes:

1. Go to the GSIN reference list on CanadaBuys
2. Browse the hierarchy until you find your goods or services category
3. Note the 4-character code (e.g., N76 for Janitorial Services)

Combine Filters

Don't rely on a single filter. Use combinations:

• GSIN code + province
• Keyword + closing date range
• Department + GSIN code

Check Both Open and Upcoming

CanadaBuys shows tenders at different stages. Check both "Active" and "Planned" opportunities. Planned tenders give you advance notice to prepare your bid.

Read the Amendments

After a tender is posted, the government often publishes amendments — changes to requirements, extended deadlines, or answers to bidder questions. Always check for amendments before submitting your bid. Missing an amendment can mean your bid doesn't meet the updated requirements.

Limitations of CanadaBuys

Despite being the official platform, CanadaBuys has real limitations:

Keyword Search Is Brittle

Search "IT support" and you'll find some tenders. But you'll miss ones described as "information technology help desk services" or "desktop support and maintenance." The search doesn't understand synonyms or related concepts.

No Relevance Scoring

Every result that matches your keyword appears equal. There's no way to know which tenders are actually a good fit for your specific business without opening and reading each one.

Jargon-Heavy Descriptions

Tender descriptions are written by procurement officers, not marketers. Titles like "Request for Standing Offer for the Provision of Temporary Help Services (Various Categories) for the NCR" actually means "temp agency needed for Ottawa offices." You need to translate every listing.

No Cross-Platform Search

CanadaBuys only covers federal procurement. It doesn't include:

• Provincial tenders (each province has its own system)
• Municipal tenders (cities post on their own portals)
• MASH sector (schools, hospitals, universities)
• US federal tenders (SAM.gov)

If you bid on contracts beyond the Canadian federal government, you need to check multiple portals daily.

Basic Email Alerts

CanadaBuys email notifications are keyword-based. They'll send you everything that matches your keywords — no intelligence about whether a tender is actually relevant to your business size, location, or capabilities.

CanadaBuys vs Other Procurement Platforms

For a detailed comparison, see our post on MERX vs CanadaBuys vs GovBid.

Tips for Winning on CanadaBuys

1. Start with Standing Offers

Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements (SOSA) are pre-qualified supplier lists. Once you're on one, government departments can order from you without a new competitive process. They're easier to get on than winning a full competitive tender, and they provide recurring revenue.

2. Bid on Low-Dollar Value Contracts First

Contracts under $25,000 have simplified procurement rules. They're a great way to build your track record with the federal government before attempting larger opportunities.

3. Attend Industry Days

Government departments often host "Industry Days" or "Supplier Engagement Sessions" before major procurements. These give you insight into upcoming requirements and a chance to ask questions directly.

4. Read the Debrief After Losing

If your bid isn't selected, request a debrief from the contracting officer. You'll learn specifically where your bid fell short and how to improve for next time.

5. Use Complementary Tools

CanadaBuys is essential, but it's a search engine — it only works when you search. Consider complementing it with a monitoring tool that brings relevant tenders to you automatically.

Is CanadaBuys free?

Yes. CanadaBuys is completely free for suppliers to search, browse, and submit bids. There is no subscription fee, no paywall, and no premium tier. The Government of Canada operates it as a public service. If any third-party website charges you for access to CanadaBuys data, you're paying for something that's available at no cost on canadabuys.canada.ca.

How do I register on CanadaBuys?

Go to canadabuys.canada.ca and create an account using your GCKey or a Sign-In Partner (like a Canadian bank). You'll need your CRA Business Number, GSIN/UNSPSC codes that describe your products or services, and a contact person for procurement. Registration takes about 30 minutes. Once registered, you get a Procurement Business Number (PBN) that you'll use when submitting bids. See the full registration steps above.

What replaced BuyAndSell?

CanadaBuys replaced the older BuyAndSell.gc.ca (also known as Achatsetventes.gc.ca in French) as the Government of Canada's official procurement portal. The transition moved all federal tender listings, supplier registrations, and standing offer data to the new CanadaBuys platform. If you had a BuyAndSell account, your supplier profile was migrated automatically, though you may need to update your GSIN codes and contact information on the new platform.

Further reading

• Browse Canadian government tenders — Live listings updated daily
• MERX vs CanadaBuys vs GovBid — Side-by-side comparison