To improve efficiency, consistency and transparency in clinical trial contract negotiations with industry sponsors, a Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario (CAHO) committee facilitated the development of standard principles for member hospitals to follow during contract negotiation. Hospitals were encouraged to provide a link to the CAHO document on their websites, which facilitated greater transparency. The public availability has allowed institutions in other jurisdictions, as well as community hospitals in the province, to align their standards with those of Ontario academic hospitals.