This pioneering book examines the key factors shaping targeted public procurement within Canadian federal departments, focusing specifically on two significant social procurement policies: the Federal Contractors Program and the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Businesses. By investigating the implementation and effectiveness of these policies, the book addresses an important gap in the existing literature and offers new insights into the role of government procurement in advancing social policy objectives. It demonstrates how public procurement can contribute to broader goals of inclusion, equity, and social justice in Canada.

The practical contribution of this book lies in the case study insights that illuminate the successes and challenges faced during the policy implementation phase. These findings are invaluable for federal government departments in Canada, as well as for other Commonwealth countries, offering a framework for understanding how targeted procurement can support socio-economic objectives.

This research is particularly relevant to developed countries like Canada and Australia, which share similar political, cultural, and economic contexts. With the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities, this book highlights the potential of social procurement as a strategy to create employment opportunities for marginalized groups.

The findings benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including regulators, policymakers, procurement practitioners, and researchers. This book provides a new framework for assessing public procurement practices, which could serve as a tool for improving employment equity and setting best practices in procurement processes. It is essential reading for academics and policymakers aiming to enhance socio-economic outcomes through targeted public procurement.

Dr. Jeanette Raymond has extensive experience in academia, teaching in various higher educational institutes in Australia. Her experience includes teaching at Victoria University, Monash University, Lyons College and Monash college. Dr. Jeanette also brings nine years of extensive experience working with the Government of Sri Lanka, during which she played an active role in attracting new investments by encouraging entrepreneurs, both locally and internationally, to invest in Sri Lanka. Her work involved engaging with the private sector, investors, and capable individuals to promote and facilitate investment in a range of agricultural and industrial projects.