Evidence of meeting #36 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 smes.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11 a.m.
Bloc
Meili Faille Bloc Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Ms. saint pierre, did you know that Mr. Bezanson was transferred to Canada Post during that time and that he was the only member of the evaluation team who was aware of the technical points assigned to the different contract bidders?
11 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Madam Chair, I learned of Mr. Jim Bezanson's departure when legal proceedings were initiated in conjunction with the procurement process.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
11:05 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Madam Chair, this RFP was not re-evaluated. As part of an external review, our chief risk officer verified the quality of the completed file, that is the documents and the process followed.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Poole, you stated that you held various positions at Canada Post. Didn't you mean to say you worked at Innovapost?
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I worked at Canada Post for five and a half years. I subsequently worked for a period of five or six months for Innovapost, an outsourcing company founded by Canada Post.
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
That's all I wanted to know.
Is Mr. Danek still your employee?
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
He worked for CGI in 1991.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
You worked for one of CGI's partners and Mr. Danek worked for CGI. Currently, he reports directly to you. He was once the Vice President of CGI. Correct?
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I believe so.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
How many of the people working with you are former CGI employees?
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
As far as I know, Mr. Danek is the only former CGI employee.
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes, fairly certain.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Poole, did you assess the impact of your proposal on SMEs? Yes or no? If you did an impact assessment, could we possibly have a copy?
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
The simple answer is no. However, we do have the results of the studies we did.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
11:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Services Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
No, I said we have the results of the studies that were done. I'm trying to speak French as much as possible.
Some of the research done by firms such as Gartner confirm that we are moving in the right direction. Moreover, a profitability analysis of network services will be carried out prior to seeking Treasury Board approval.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
You say the research shows that you are on the right track. This research and these studies are based on documents or facts not necessarily connected with the federal government or with known SMEs that have provided testimony here.
I'm amazed that you trust this research. The federal government is a very special niche, quite different from anything else in society. So then, I would put a big question mark next to these findings.
Mr. Poole, if you were asked to put a moratorium on what you're now doing... On October 19, 2006, furniture manufacturing firms told the committee that PWGSC's actions were adversely affecting their industry. In November 2006, we heard complaints from other people. Last week, a witness told us that things were not going so well. Again today, companies are facing the prospect of having to close their doors because of your actions. Yet, you haven't done any studies and you have nothing to base yourself on to prove that the direction you are taking is fair, honest and right.
Mr. Poole, if a summer-long moratorium were imposed on your plan and you were asked to come back before the committee in September or October to present a clear, concise and coherent action plan to convince parliamentarians that you are on the right track, would three or four months give you enough time to come up with such a plan? It may seem clear to you, but we have nothing in writing.
