Economic development

Spend in Canada by purchasing category

Supply chain management

Imperial is committed to promoting inclusive sourcing, respecting human rights and working to minimize impacts to the environment in our supply chain. We seek to work with suppliers that share our commitment.

We operate in all provinces and territories across Canada and currently engage more than 3,600 suppliers across the country. In 2022, our total spend for goods and services exceeded $5 billion. Imperial is working to integrate our sustainability focus areas within our supply chain management approach, seeking opportunities to diversify our supplier network, minimize environmental impacts and collectively contribute to our communities’ resilience and quality of life.

Our procurement teams conduct pre-qualification assessments, which help verify potential suppliers and contractors are aligned with elements of our Operations Integrity Management System (OIMS). These assessments guide our decision-making, evaluating factors that include: ethics, health, safety, environmental and technical compliance, as well as sustainability and financial considerations.

Imperial audits a select number of suppliers each year for contract compliance. Contractors not meeting our expectations may be subject to supplemental training and contractual remedies, including termination.

Imperial supplier, vendor and contractor expectations

Imperial holds our suppliers, vendors and contractors to stringent compliance, anti-corruption, non-conflict, safety and other guidelines in order to stay in good standing. We expect our suppliers, vendors and contractors to:

comply with laws, rules and regulations applicable to their business
comply with their contractual obligations and perform their activities balancing economic growth, social development and environmental protection
avoid any conflict of interest
not offer, pay, (directly or indirectly) any bribe or engage in any corrupt practice
comply with antitrust and competition laws
promote a safe, secure and healthy workplace

apply continuous efforts to improve safety, security, health and environmental performance and foster appropriate operating practices and training
endeavour to provide positive, productive and supportive work environments
conduct operations and business practices in a manner consistent with the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of the 1998 International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration, including the elimination of child labor, forced labor and workplace discrimination and the recognition of freedom of association; and
manage activities in a manner that respects human rights and is consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in effect as of 2011.

To integrate sustainability into our practices, Imperial leverages existing stewardship and purchasing processes and systems. Plans and initiatives are reviewed to identify opportunities related to inclusive sourcing and environmental performance as well as to identify potential human rights impacts within category families. Objectives are established annually.

Imperial uses a source-to-contract platform that facilitates consideration of sustainability in the acquisition process. Steps have been included to assist in identifying diverse suppliers and incorporate sustainability elements into commercial activities.

Not only do we review a potential supplier’s operational, technical and financial performance, we also perform compliance due diligence. We screen potential suppliers across compliance areas such as sanctions, anti-corruption and human trafficking using third-party information.

In 2022

$5.3 billion

total spent on goods and services

3,600

suppliers across Canada

Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses

In line with Imperial’s sustainability focus areas, local and Indigenous content is considered an asset in our procurement contracts, and we actively work to engage Indigenous businesses in the areas where we operate.

We are proud to be a Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Aboriginal procurement champion. This designation places Imperial in a group of corporations committed to increasing opportunities for Indigenous businesses to be able to participate in the sponsored companies’ supply chains. Please see the Indigenous engagement and reconciliation section of this report for more information on Imperial’s performance in this area.

Taxes and royalties

Government revenues from taxes and royalties drive economic growth and a higher standard of living for all Canadians. The amount paid by Imperial in taxes and royalties is dependent on production volumes, the price for those volumes and the costs incurred to produce them. Royalties and taxes fluctuate year-over-year accordingly. In 2022, approximately $10 billion in taxes and royalties were collected and that in turn helps fund school systems, roads, hospitals, social programs and more.