Thank you, Mike.
My name is Jeff Lynt and I own a small business in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. I live on the Quebec side and employ approximately 40 people.
The government's proposed changes will either force me to lay off a number of my employees and subcontractors or become subservient to a large company. This will force me to cut salaries; however, history has shown that the cost to the federal government will be the same or higher. My company will lose the ability to innovate and propose solutions to our clients and will be constrained by the business model of the larger company. Once the large company is able to hire enough employees, likely by raiding our resources, it will terminate its contractual relationship with us and this will be the end of opportunities with the Government of Canada in this sector.
SMEs are the engine that drives the economy. This is not a statement that I invented for this presentation; it is a statement that was heard during the last federal election campaign by the Conservative candidates who touted their parties' championship of SME issues. The latest proposal makes no sense. Their response to our concern was to state that large companies would be given points in their evaluation if they had a plan to provide subcontracts to SMEs. This is an insulting and demeaning offer. At this point, SMEs compete and win about 70% of the contracts awarded by the federal government. Why would we suddenly be satisfied to subcontract to companies that we regularly beat in open, fair, and transparent competitions?
In April of 2006, the new Public Works and Government Services minister, Senator Michael Fortier, stated that the government will make it easier for small business to bid for government contracts. I certainly did not think the government would go back on its word and do the exact opposite of what it promised. My sincere and deepest hope is that the Conservative members of this committee and the parliamentary secretary to the PWGSC minister will announce today that it was a mistake and that the government will honour its commitment to SMEs.
My financial stability, and that of my family, is on the line. My business is at stake. I urge you to make a motion today to send to the House asking the government to cancel its plans, initiate true consultations on this issue, and respect its promises to SMEs.
Thank you very much.