Home Contact Sitemap Checkout
Print This Page

Canoe Procurement: Group Buying Power for Your Water Co-op

Running a water co-op means keeping the water safe, the system reliable, and the costs affordable for your neighbors. Canoe Procurement helps achieve this by providing access to the same municipal rates enjoyed by large cities (like Edmonton and Calgary).

What is Canoe Procurement?

Canoe is one of the largest group purchasing programs in Canada. By combining the purchasing power of thousands of public organizations, it allows smaller members to access high-volume pricing that would otherwise be impossible to negotiate individually.

Who can use it: All water co-ops insured by RMA Insurance.

Cost: There is an annual membership fee of $261.45 to access the program.

Why Use Canoe for Your Co-op?

1. Municipal Level Pricing

The primary benefit is access to municipal rates. Typically, vendors will grant a 10-20% discount on parts and equipment compared to standard retail or commercial pricing. Whether you are sourcing pipes, valves, or meters, you are paying the same rate as the largest municipalities in the province.

2. Streamlined Sourcing

Canoe has already vetted suppliers and handled the legal compliance and tendering work. Instead of spending weeks on research, you can select from a pre-approved vendor list, knowing the heavy lifting of price negotiation has been done for you.

3. Dedicated Support

The program includes a dedicated Waterworks Program. In our experience, the representatives are highly responsive and can quickly help you track down specific equipment and find the best available rates within their network.

A Note on Member Experience

While we are always looking for more feedback from our members, our internal tests have shown that the program is particularly useful for finding hard-to-source parts quickly. However, because there is an annual fee, we strongly recommend browsing their supplier list to ensure they carry the brands you use most before committing to a membership.

How to Get Started

You must submit an application and be approved before you can access Canoe pricing.

  1. Browse First: Visit the Canoe Procurement website to review their vendor catalog and ensure it fits your co-op's specific needs.
  2. Apply Online: Complete the web-based application form https://canoeprocurement.ca/members/.
  3. Wait for Approval: Once your application is processed and approved, you can begin contacting vendors for Canoe pricing.
  4. Check with Current Vendors: Ask your current suppliers if they are already Canoe-approved, you might be able to get a discount on your existing accounts.

Need help or have questions about the fee? Contact Ryan Yavis, Client Relations Manager for Alberta:

If you have questions for the Water Federation about Canoe Procurement, please contact Owen Bennett at owen@abwaterco-op.com.

Important Note: The Water Federation has not vetted or endorsed specific suppliers listed through Canoe Procurement. Member co-ops should exercise due diligence and assume all responsibility when engaging with vendors on the platform.