The AIT, which was signed by the provinces of Canada, the federal government and the territories in 1995, applies as policy outside the federal environment, where it does not have the force of law. Nonetheless, it contains significant guidance on procurement principles and procedures and is an important reference for local government agencies.

In addition, the Ontario Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive prescribes a number of procurement procedures which apply to procurement by colleges, universities, school boards and hospitals.

There is generally no specific body of contract laws that apply exclusively to public procurement contracts. Courts will interpret a contract between a public and private entity in the same way that it would between two private entities. However, as is typical in many jurisdictions, legislation exists at both the federal and provincial levels which bars certain types of claims against public entities and/or limits the liability that can be attached to public entities.