CIRCLE Canada: Canadian Computer Manufacturers

This program is currently under review.

The Canadian government's policy is to enhance the services it offers through the innovative use of information and technology. As one of the largest customers of information technology in Canada, the federal government has a responsibility to recognize and promote the use of Canadian goods and services wherever possible. The recognition of a company as a Canadian manufacturer provides government buyers with the assurance that they are buying a quality product and that the Canadian economy will benefit from their purchases.

Eligibility Criteria

CIRCLE status is accorded to Canadian-made products of recognized Canadian computer manufacturers who meet a stringent set of criteria.

Stepping into the CIRCLE: Criteria for Canadian Computer Manufacturers

For a company to achieve CIRCLE status, five essential criteria must be met:

Canadian Operations

The company must be headquartered in Canada, have its manufacturing facilities for its Canadian products located in Canada and, at its inception, be majority Canadian-owned and controlled. In the event that ownership later changes, the company may continue to enjoy CIRCLE status provided resulting changes to company operations do not negatively affect current manufacturing operations and mandates in Canada.

R&D in Canada

All R&D for the company's new product development in data processing must be performed in Canada. Specifically CIRCLE companies must achieve an R&D performance target of 6% of the company's sales of the products it manufactures in Canada. Under this definition, R&D is generally recognized on the same basis as it is recognized under the Income Tax Act.

Quality Assurance in Canada

The company must manufacture in Canada all computer models it sells to the federal government, and perform quality assurance as approved by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). For the first year of operation, IS0 9002 must be achieved. Companies must initiate the certification process.

Canadian Content

CIRCLE companies must incorporate Canadian components into their products, to the maximum extent possible, and produce all user and technical manuals in Canada.

Canadian Service 

For CIRCLE certification, the company must have in place demonstrable nation-wide service capabilities.

The CIRCLE program is jointly administered by Industry Canada and PWGSC. Final decisions on policy and award of status are made by a Review Committee that is co-chaired by the two departments.

Summary

What are CIRCLE Companies? 

Procurement has long been used in Canada and other countries as an instrument of industrial and regional development. Subject to our international trade obligations, Public Works and Government Services Canada maintains a clear preference to buy Canadian. This is done by promoting suppliers of qualified Canadian goods and services, wherever sufficient competition can be maintained. Indeed, for some computer purchases on behalf of federal government departments not covered by trade agreements, competition may be restricted to Canadian manufacturers and certain multinationals with substantial commitments in Canada.

The Inner CIRCLE: CIRCLE Status and Your Company

Benefits of CIRCLE Status

The benefits of becoming a CIRCLE company include: 

• Recognition of CIRCLE companies as Canadian manufacturers for purposes of promoting the use of Canadian products by various levels of government.
• Information concerning which firms have been recognized as CIRCLE computer manufacturers is automatically communicated to all federal government departments, as well as to outside organizations such as Crown corporations, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and any provinces that wish to build on the federal program.
• CIRCLE companies enjoy a high profile within all federal government departments, and in particular with designated buyers of computer equipment.

How Can Your Company Qualify for CIRCLE Status?

Although PWGSC applies relevant procurement policies in procurement bids, companies wishing to obtain CIRCLE status are invited to contact Industry Canada for initial discussions. Your firm will be evaluated according to the criteria: Canadian operations, R&D, quality assurance, Canadian content, and national support and service must be demonstrated.

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Contact(s):
See National Contact.