Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and honourable members. Thank you for this opportunity to address the committee on issues that I believe are of critical importance to VOTI Detection and the Canadian business community.
In my remarks I will address three main issues that I believe are relevant to your hearings, and it would be my pleasure afterwards to take any questions you might have.
First, as president and chief executive officer of VOTI Detection, I stress our support for the competitive bid process in public procurement. We welcome the opportunity to offer best-in-class technology to address the needs of our potential clients, while offering tremendous value for money. VOTI Detection believes the procurement opportunity that was managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada for the benefit of Global Affairs Canada followed all the rules in place at that time.
Our request of policy and decision-makers is the consideration of changing some of those rules. The only thing we ask for is the opportunity to participate in the bid process on a level playing field. We believe it is virtually impossible to have a level playing field when companies that are state-sponsored, with a history of predatory pricing practices, are allowed to participate. There should be a vetting of companies to ensure that they have the ability to deliver all the commitments in their bid while respecting the high ethical standards of business governance.
Our belief is that any company that has been disqualified from procurement opportunities for security reasons by our closest allies or known to have engaged in illicit and corrupt practices such as bribery and honey trapping should be excluded from Canadian government bid opportunities. It is our hope that the bid authorities will embrace opportunities to consider the value of benefits other than a low price in the evaluation of submitted bids.
The second issue touches on security considerations related to the acquisition, deployment and ongoing maintenance of X-ray security scanners. While we understand that the security scanners will not be connected to any network, we also understand that the scanners will record and store data that should be kept highly confidential. Although the data will not be vulnerable to a network attack, whenever a technician—a simple technician—is required to perform preventative maintenance, a software update or the servicing of a defective part, there would be ample opportunity for that technician to download the sensitive data that should be protected and send it to wherever that person wishes.
The security value can go beyond the actual technology. Companies and the individual employees who will participate in the fulfillment of the procurement opportunity could, and should, receive security clearances based on reliable and verifiable information.
The third point is to stress the importance for Canadian business to find government support through public procurement, especially during these very difficult economic times. I believe small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy and the greatest opportunity to stimulate sustainable growth. There is no support that is more valuable that a government entity can give to a Canadian business than a purchase order. Procurement of Canadian goods supports domestic industry as well as the important downstream supply chain. These businesses employ Canadians, and it is through the fulfillment of purchase orders that businesses can grow, continuing to invest in growth strategies, research and development and the creation of additional jobs for Canadians.
VOTI Detection employs over 80 people across Canada. These are high-paying research and development jobs with fundamentally superior IP in technology to any of the competitors in its class. These are things that should be taken into account and considered when going through any type of procurement process.
In conclusion, it's my hope that this committee will shape policy that will support better outcomes for the Canadian government, their departments and agencies, and for the Canadian people. It is my belief that, when possible, the promotion of a Canada-first or buy-Canadian procurement strategy would generate positive outcomes for all involved.
Again, Mr. Chairman and honourable members, I thank you for the opportunity to address you. I make myself available for any questions you might have.