Economic development

Imperial spend by purchasing category

Supply chain management

We operate in all provinces and territories across Canada and currently engage more than 2,700 suppliers across the country. In 2021, our total spend for goods and services exceeded $3.8 billion, 94 per cent of which was spent in Canada. 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 principles of the 1998 International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, including the elimination of child labour, forced labour and workplace discrimination and the recognition of freedom of association
Manage activities in a manner that respects human rights and is consistent with the elements of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in effect as of 2011.

In 2021

$3.8 billion

Total spent on goods and services

2,736

Suppliers across Canada

3,405

Total suppliers

Spotlight

Partnering with Indigenous businesses

In 2021, Imperial marked not only the highest total Indigenous spend in our history, but we also signed our largest-ever contracts with Indigenous-owned companies.

Learn more about our Indigenous engagement

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 2021, $6.8 billion in taxes and royalties were borne and collected and that in turn helps fund school systems, roads, hospitals, social programs and more – that’s an increase of nearly 60 per cent over 2020.