Evidence of meeting #56 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was process.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Deputy Minister, International Trade, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
To the best of my understanding, the communications environment remains busy on a daily basis. There are a whole range of issues that the department deals with. It is not as pressed as it was at the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
This is my last question for you, sir. In the report, the Ethics Commissioner said there were six contracts—
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
My apologies. On a point of order, I'm not sure if the convoy is back or whatever, but it has been noted by the interpreters that they can't hear because of beeping or buzzing coming through.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
I'm going to hold the time until we resolve this. We heard this earlier.
While Mr. Green goes out and gets them donuts—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
—we're just going to suspend the meeting until we fix this problem, because we have to make sure that the health and—
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Now that the door is closed, they're signalling that it's okay.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
We have to wait for the clerk. She was looking to see what the problem was.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Ms. Khalid, I did stop your time. You have roughly 40 seconds to go.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
Okay, then. With that, maybe I'll ask this: Have you been in discussion with the minister specifically about these contracts that are in question today, specifically during the examination by the Ethics Commissioner?
Deputy Minister, International Trade, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
No.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Okay. Thank you, Ms. Khalid.
Mr. Villemure, go ahead for six minutes.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank today's witnesses. My questions will be a bit more technical.
What criteria are used to designate a company as a sole-source supplier?
Deputy Minister, International Trade, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
If that's okay with you, I will let my colleague answer the question.
Director General, National Accommodations, Domestic Procurement and Asset Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
There are a number of criteria. The main criterion is really the value of the contract, but we also have to consider the nature of the services being requested and the availability of suppliers. Federal contracting policies specify the criteria we must follow in determining to whom we award contracts, whether through a competitive process or sole source.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
When you say the main criterion is the value of the contract, does it have to be high or low?
Director General, National Accommodations, Domestic Procurement and Asset Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
There is a regulatory threshold for sole-source contracts, which is currently $40,000. That threshold was the same when the contract was awarded.
Bloc
Director General, National Accommodations, Domestic Procurement and Asset Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
That's right. The amount cannot exceed $40,000 Canadian, including taxes.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
After the contract value, you look at the nature of the contract and the availability of suppliers, right?