The Ontario Strategic Inventory provides essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical supplies and equipment (CSE) to public sector organizations across the province. These products are available for regular, year‑round use, during times of surge demand, and in large volumes for one-off events.
Designed as a living inventory, it is:
- regularly cycled through distribution to ensure proper stock rotation
- able to respond quickly to urgent or unexpected needs, protecting public sector workers and the programs they deliver
A core component of the Strategic Inventory is the use of domestically manufactured products, which helps:
- strengthen Ontario’s supply chain resiliency
- support local jobs and economic growth
- mitigate global supply chain risks
This ensures Ontario’s health care and essential service providers have a secure, reliable, and locally sourced supply of PPE and critical materials available and ready to deploy for regular use and to ensure readiness for surge events. By maintaining a high-quality strategic inventory, Supply Ontario supports long-term planning, reduces the province’s reliance of global supply chains, and strengthens the provincial economy.
Holding strategic inventory also provides Supply Ontario the ability to better negotiate with suppliers, securing lower prices or better terms, including bulk discounts, optimized transportation costs, or reduced frequency of orders, leading to overall cost savings for taxpayers.
Supporting Ontario’s Economy
Supply Ontario has also launched an integrated warehouse network with a single third-party logistics and a single transportation provider to modernize provincial supply chain operations. This coordinated, centralized system improves efficiency, reduces costs, and supports faster, reliable distribution across Ontario.
This made‑in‑Ontario approach further supports:
- greater domestic production
- job creation and economic growth
- opportunities for Ontario manufacturers to participate in procurement opportunities and bid on contracts to supply the province
Supply Ontario oversees approximately $200 million in provincial PPE and CSE, including nitrile gloves, N95s, surgical masks, gowns, booties, respirators, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, testing kits (including swabs and Rapid Antigen tests), wipes, cleaning supplies, and more, available at no cost to eligible public sector organizations.
Prior to 2020, all PPE/CSE was source from suppliers outside of Ontario. We are proud that, today, 98% of long-term contracts for PPE and critical supplies used across the public sector are made in Ontario and Supply Ontario will continue to support domestic businesses to work towards a made-in-Ontario supply chain.
Who We Serve
Supply Ontario provides PPE/CSE to Ontario public sector organizations, including:
- Long-term care providers
- Retirement homes
- Schools
- Primary care providers
- Child care providers
- Municipalities
- Indigenous communities
- Police and fire services
Supply Ontario also supports Emergency Management Ontario with emergency 24/7 coverage and supports the Ministry of Education in their menstrual equity initiative.
PPE Supply Portal
Access to the PPE Supply Portal is by invitation only for public sector organizations. To confirm eligibility, please contact [email protected].