Madam Speaker, let me begin by saying that this new government firmly believes in fairness, openness, and transparency in all aspects of procurement management.

We are fully aware of past problems with respect to contracts and payments, particularly those made to GC Strategies and its predecessors in connection with previous investigations.

The latest report reveals that many contracts and payments were in violation of the applicable policy framework and that these contracts did not offer good value for money, which is totally unacceptable.

All governments have a responsibility to spend taxpayers' money with a clear commitment to optimizing resources, and the new government will maintain this commitment. It is more important than ever as we embark, as the member so aptly put it, on a series of new, nation-building construction projects. These are projects that will bring us together and transform our economy.

That is why, under the current government, the Minister of Public Works and Procurement had “Government Transformation” added to his title.

We have been moving forward at an unprecedented pace for years as we implement major projects that will unlock Canada's full economic potential and build a strong country. To create the type of country we need today, we have to change the way we work for Canadians, and that means changing the way we procure goods and services to become faster and more efficient.

At the same time, we need to ensure that rules are followed. After numerous investigations and reports related to the development of ArriveCAN, Public Services and Procurement Canada continues to implement measures that strengthen federal procurement, particularly as it relates to the procurement of professional services.

Only this week, the Auditor General of Canada told the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates that she was satisfied with the measures put in place.

As a reminder, these measures include implementing a number of provisions designed to strengthen procurement oversight; beefing up evaluation requirements to ensure that resources are properly qualified for the duties they are expected to perform; requiring greater transparency from suppliers about their prices and the subcontractors they use; and improving our own documentation practices when awarding contracts and authorizing tasks.

I would add that, following a thorough assessment of GC Strategies by the new office of supplier integrity and compliance, the company has been barred from entering into contracts or real property agreements with the Government of Canada for seven years, the most severe penalty.

When it comes to recovering funds, whether it is a case of fraud or simple overcharging, we will take legal action or collaborate with law enforcement agencies.

As stewards of the public purse, we know that government spending must always meet the highest standards of accountability. That is the promise we made to Canadians. They deserve nothing less.

Jacques Ramsay

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