The Yukon government has given itself a 37-item to-do list in its efforts to implement the recommendations of the procurement advisory panel.

The government’s action plan on procurement was released Wednesday. The panel brought forward its recommendations in May.

The main message for government out of those recommendations following extensive consultation was simple: buy local.

The document released Wednesday is a detailed list of how the government will go about improving how it purchases goods and services.

“Reliable, predictable and fair procurement is a cornerstone of a positive working relationship between government and the private sector,” Highways and Public Works Minister Scott Kent said in a statement.

“Improving how we engage with businesses through tenders, contracts and other processes will help advance our economy and provide better opportunities for Yukon business owners, their employees and the families that depend on these jobs.”

In an interview Wednesday afternoon, Kent pointed out the action plan provides timelines for each item listed.

Each of the actions outlined falls under four priority areas.

One identifies a date as the fall of 2017 to introduce a capital budget and/or a multi-year capital commitment that would better forecast and allow tenders to be issued further in advance of the summer construction season.

Kent noted that attaching short, medium and long-term dates to the actions will mean greater accountability for the government.

Other priorities would see:

• the government work with the business community on coming up with policies aimed at supporting local vendors;

• the creation of a project and performance evaluation program to improve future procurements; and

• interim improvements to the bid challenge process, along with the development of a policy for a more effective process.

Along with all of that, the government would be tasked with updating the plan annually.

“It will be a continuous improvement,” Kent said.

Work with the business community to improve procurement has been underway for some time, going back to before he became minister of Highways and Public Works, he added.

The previous minister, Wade Istchenko, was instrumental in the beginning phases of the process, Kent said.

Improvements will continue, he emphasized, noting that feedback from the business community has been good.

Catherine Harwood is the director of the procurement support centre with Highways and Public Works.

While many of the action timelines in the plans are years away, she said, a number of initiatives are underway that are having or are expected to have a more immediate impact.

A reverse trade show, for example, gave the business community an opportunity to speak directly with territorial officials from various departments.

Clearer tender documents are being drafted, and the consultation that’s been underway on the recommendations and action plan has helped improve communication between the territory and vendors.

The full document released Wednesday is available at http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/supplierdirectory/procurementpanel.html