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.
2:05 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
PSPC identified us, before the first COVID contract, as a vendor of good record.
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thanks, Mr. Sousa.
Ms. Vignola, go ahead for two and a half minutes, please.
2:05 p.m.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Firth, we find ourselves needing technicians and IT experts more and more these days, and the rise of AI isn't going to reduce that need. About 10 or 12 years ago, the Harper government cut the number of IT workers in government, arguing that it was pointless to pay them if projects weren't being carried out.
You are a consultant, so I assume you can answer this next question. In 2024, is it possible that a government or company would have to pay IT experts for doing nothing? Is that something that could happen in 2024?
2:10 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
I think it would be hard for the government to sustain a bench of resources with very specific skill sets. I think it would be hard to find the people and make them stay in one position. People like being consultants because they can bump around. I think the model is something between what we have now and what's currently in place, in which you get your hired guns; you bring them in for a project, and then you let them go. Otherwise you have unions involved and you have benches of resources sitting doing nothing. I think there is a place to continue to have contractors.
2:10 p.m.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
It would be impossible, then, to employ IT workers on a full-time basis. That wouldn't happen anywhere in the world.
The only way to fix the problem, as I see it, is to make sure that departments know what the procurement process is and how to manage it. Let's imagine you aren't involved in this situation, as difficult as it may be. Do departments know how to oversee major projects of any kind?
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I think we have you frozen, Mr. Firth.
Give us a couple of seconds, please.
2:10 p.m.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. I'm not sure if my Internet is unstable right now, but I missed your last prompt there. Were you indicating that it was my turn?
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
No, no. I'm sorry. I think Mr. Firth is frozen, from looking at his screen.
2:10 p.m.
NDP
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Mr. Bachrach, I can hear you well.
Mr. Firth, you're back on. Are you okay just answering the question from Mrs. Vignola?
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
2:10 p.m.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Let's say you're on the outside looking in. Would you say departments do a good job of overseeing government contracts, especially when it comes to managing and record-keeping? Conversely, do you think they could do a better job to avoid situations like this one?
2:10 p.m.
Partner, GC Strategies
Obviously, I can't speak for every department, but these last 18 months I've said that I think CBSA needs some work.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thank you very much.
Mr. Bachrach, now it is your time. Go ahead, sir.
2:10 p.m.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I will use my time, Mr. Chair, to move a motion arising from this study on ArriveCAN, as follows:
That, in light of the recent finding that Dalian Enterprises received $7.9 million in funding for its work on ArriveCAN while CEO David Yeo was an employee of the Department of National Defence, the committee call on Mr. Yeo as well as the following senior officials from the Department of National Defence: Minister of National Defence Bill Blair, Deputy Minister of National Defence Bill Matthews, Associate Deputy Minister (Materiel) Troy Crosby and Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources) Isabelle Desmartis to appear before committee no later than April 1, 2024 for no less than two hours of testimony.
I believe my staff can make that available in writing to the committee.
2:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thanks, Mr. Bachrach. This is different from the February 29 one you had on notice.
March 13th, 2024 / 2:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I'm just making sure that's correct.
Are you putting this on notice right now, or are you tabling it?
2:15 p.m.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I'd like to move it and, hopefully, get to a vote in the minutes that remain of our meeting.
Thank you.
2:15 p.m.
Conservative