Evidence of meeting #23 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was contracts.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Independent
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
--but the crown does not give them up front--
Independent
Bill Casey Independent Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
Let me ask you this. The contractor, in their press release, when they were identified as the preferred bidder--the contract is not signed, but they've been identified--says, “Significant work packages such as summary refits and equipment overhauls will be added by contract amendment as emergent activities.”
The first unforeseen event is scheduled to begin in early 2009. In documents we have here, DND also said that this refit is scheduled.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes.
Independent
Bill Casey Independent Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
The contractors say it's scheduled.
Why is that not in the original, initial contract? Everybody knows it's there. It's scheduled. The contract is not signed. Why is that not included?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
It is in the original package of potential work, but we don't yet have all the details on the work to be performed. When we do have that with the level of effort--
Independent
Liberal
Bloc
Serge Ménard Bloc Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
Thank you for coming to testify, minister. I didn't expect to see you here this morning. However, since one of our colleagues is ill, I am taking over.
First, I would like to talk to you about a major contract, the contract for the delivery of 100 used tanks by the Netherlands. This is a contract for $1.3 billion for the purchase and for another considerable amount for maintenance. These tanks were to be delivered in the fall of 2007, but they were not. According to certain sources, we won't have them before 2011.
Can you confirm those facts?
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
No, from what I know of this, we'll receive them before the date you mentioned. The tanks needed maintenance. They will be delivered before the date you mentioned.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
It will be as soon as possible.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Work has to be done on those tanks. When it's completed, Mr. Ménard, those tanks can be used.
Bloc
Serge Ménard Bloc Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
You're telling me we'll have them before 2011. Is there a chance we'll have them before 2010?
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
We're talking about the 100 tanks that we bought. Mr. Ménard wants to know whether we have an exact date for the delivery of the tanks.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes, it will be in 2011.
Bloc
Serge Ménard Bloc Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
So that is in fact in four years. We think we'll withdraw from Afghanistan in 2011. Will those tanks still be useful in 2011?
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
The government decided to proceed with the purchase of tanks. We hope to receive them before 2011. Ms. Saint Pierre, I believe you're referring to the last delivery. We won't receive all 100 at the same time. Some will arrive before then and can be deployed.
Bloc
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
That will be done gradually. We currently expect to begin receiving them in 2009, but the vast majority will be delivered in 2011.
Bloc
Serge Ménard Bloc Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
That date was set even before the vote in the House on the continuation of our commitment in Afghanistan, if I understand correctly.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
I don't believe Ms. Saint Pierre can answer your question on the vote in the House. The contract with the vendor contained an appendix on the delivery of the tanks. That's what was agreed with the vendor.
Bloc
Serge Ménard Bloc Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
Our time is limited. You made a point of telling us about your national capital area accommodation strategy. You have a national capital area accommodation strategy to achieve a 75:25 ratio.
Could you table the plan you referred to in your presentation?
