Ontario's Staples Supply Deal Under Fire as NDP Calls for Audit
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Questions over pricing, shipping delays, and the lack of a competitive bidding process prompt calls for an investigation into the $66 million classroom equipment contract.
OPINION: The government's decision to outsource teacher procurement to a corporate giant like Staples suggests a worrying trend of prioritizing vendor convenience over actual classroom utility.
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Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles has formally requested that the auditor general launch an investigation into the provincial government's decision to award Staples the contract for selling supplies to elementary school teachers. As Global News Toronto first reported, Stiles sent a letter on Monday questioning the value of a $66 million contract designed to establish a portal where teachers can spend up to $750 each on classroom equipment.
Stiles pointed to a variety of escalating worries over the choice of Staples as the sole vendor for the fund. These include barriers to access for teachers, shipment delays, and the availability and pricing of supplies on the portal. Global News Toronto reports that some teachers have flagged the presence of non-classroom products on the site and noted that certain items are more expensive via the portal. David Mastin, president of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, told Global News that such issues are to be expected because Staples is a profit-driven corporation.
Central to the controversy is how the contract was awarded. Stiles is asking the auditor general to investigate why Staples was granted the contract without having to bid against other companies and whether the deal represents the best value for education spending. Stiles argued that an independent audit is necessary for transparency and accountability to ensure public dollars were spent appropriately.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has defended the rollout, though he acknowledged some initial issues with the portal. Calandra previously stated he is confident that the 200 core products required for the portal are available at the lowest possible price. His office highlighted specific low-cost examples, such as rulers for 20 cents, two erasers for 10 cents, and highlighter packs for 71 cents. Calandra noted that while the system was not meant to be perfect from day one, he believes teachers are excited about the initiative.
In a statement provided to Global News Toronto, Calandra’s office disputed the claim that the contract lacked competition. A spokesperson stated that Staples Canada was chosen following an "open, fair and competitive process" led by Supply Ontario. The spokesperson claimed Staples offered competitive pricing that was nearly half the price of the second-ranked bidder. Furthermore, the ministry argued that Staples was selected because it possesses the necessary technology, customer support, and distribution network to deliver supplies to teachers across the province, including remote, Northern, and fly-in communities.