1. Entities subject to this Annex who participate in group purchasing activities through Buying Groups shall ensure that the activities of such buying groups are carried out in a manner consistent with this Annex.
2. Buying Group means an organization, involving two or more entities, created to achieve efficiencies and economies of scale by combining the purchasing requirements and activities of the members of the group into one joint procurement process. Buying Groups include cooperative arrangements in which individual members administer the procurement function for specific contracts for the group, and more formal corporate arrangements in which the organization administers procurement for group members. Buying groups may involve a variety of entities, including public sector, private sector and not-for-profit organizations.
3. The Parties agree not to direct the procurement activities of Buying Groups so as to discriminate against out-of-province suppliers for procurement covered by this Annex.