I've introduced this motion, which specifically questions the contract of October 31, 2007 granted to CGI, simply because it seems that this contract is for an extremely large amount. The committee has just put questions on the subject to the minister. Another business claims it was adversely affected by the manner in which the contract was awarded. I'm focusing on CGI because we have that very specific example. Madam Chair, it is quite possible that you will receive a letter from the president of TPG Technology Consulting asking you to look into what happened.
I've asked a number of questions during the hearings of this committee on the way in which Public Works awards contracts. In the past, a great many contracts have been let by contract award. The minister probably didn't know the number. At one point, we were told that, of 50 contracts, only nine had been awarded through calls for tenders or through the normal process, which means that 41 contracts were let by contract award. I find that quite peculiar.
I don't want to tell my colleagues to throw stones at anyone, but I would urge them to learn how Public Works operates with regard to the contract award process, in order to ensure that everything is done to standard. When the Auditor General examines this kind of problem, it can take a year or a year and a half before she can get back. Let's stop any bleeding immediately. At least we'll know what the contract award process is.