Evidence of meeting #108 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was contract.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:40 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
We were notified that they were removing that prerequisite, because it wasn't necessary.
1:40 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
I will have to speak to my business partner. He gets all of the security information.
1:40 p.m.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Did you communicate to them about the security clearance prior to that?
1:40 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
No, there was a component within the RFP that was not directed towards the vendor. It was an amendment that was removed after the fact.
1:40 p.m.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
It just seems that, going back to your previous testimony about why the government would rely on your company, one of the reasons is that other companies don't necessarily meet the pre-qualifications to engage in these government contracts. However, here's a case where your company didn't meet the qualifications for this contract, and the government found a way around it by simply removing that requirement. Did they express to you why they removed the requirement?
1:40 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
No, I'm sorry. My understanding is that at the point of contract award it isn't determined whether or not they have to have this certain document safeguarding. It's only after the fact, once the project has got going, that they decide to remove it or not. We're dealing with invoices. We're not dealing with protected information. The determination after the fact was that we were not required to have that at all.
1:45 p.m.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
At the time you signed the contract, though, you were required to have it. Is that correct?
1:45 p.m.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
That's what the RFP says, yet CBSA did not flag that requirement with you when they signed the contract.
March 13th, 2024 / 1:45 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
I will quote just what PSPC said, as they are more experienced in this than I am. PSPC said, “It's important [that a distinction be made] between the security clearance...of an organization or staff and a capability [requested] of an organization. It's not necessary for an organization to have the capability [at the time] the contract is awarded...it's normal for a contract to be awarded without a capability”—which is us—“having been verified [by] the contract security program.” Otherwise, there has to be an amendment to withdraw that requirement, as it was not necessary, which is what happened for this contract.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thank you very much.
We'll have Mr. Barrett, please, for five minutes.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Is a significant part of your job contacting and communicating with government, their departments, agencies or Crown corporations?
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
How many hours per month would you say you spend on that?
1:45 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
It's hard to quantify that, because if we're busy with existing contracts, then there's contract management and other components versus new business development and interactions and identifying new opportunities.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Let's look for a number. You can use you and your partner combined—Mr. Anthony. How many hours per month?
1:45 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
I'm sorry. I can try to answer that honestly, accurately.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Is it more than 80?
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
More than 80 hours per month. Is it more than 100 hours?
1:45 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
I can't quantify it. I'm giving you an answer of more than 80.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
That also includes proactively making the government aware of the services you offer.
1:45 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
Again, I'm sorry—it depends. It depends on whether or not we are.... With ArriveCAN, there were not 80 hours of meetings and proposing and getting new business, because we were managing 100 resources at that time. It varies.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Are you registered to lobby?