Mr. Chair, thank you for giving me the floor.
We all consider it important to ensure that the policies put in place to allow for greater diversity in procurement are relevant.
We all feel—this is my opinion, but I think my colleagues from all parties here will agree with me—that when a contract is awarded under a policy of inclusiveness and diversity, it must absolutely fulfill its objectives.
In that sense, we all pretty much support the main motion moved by Mr. Genuis. This is an important topic.
My amendment will allow us to do an analysis before we undertake a much more in-depth study, which would probably require a lot more documents than the ones I'm going to suggest.
Nevertheless, it will allow us to do an analysis, which will then help determine whether there is a widespread problem. If so, we'll have to carry out a much more in-depth, much more comprehensive analysis, including a number of meetings.
Without further ado, here is the amendment I'm proposing.
All that would be left of Mr. Genuis's motion are the substantive ideas. The wording would be different. It would read as follows: “That, in accordance with Standing Orders 108(1), 108(2) and 108(3)(c) of the House of Commons, the committee order the production of the Government of Canada's list of qualified aboriginal businesses in both official languages; the list include (a) any summary of the key details about each company in the government's PSAB database, (b) the number and value of contracts received by each enterprise and (c) the list of subcontractors used for each contract; the information be provided to the committee by May 20, 2024”.
Since we're talking about the indigenous procurement policy, these companies have been on the list created since that policy was put in place. We can add that component if need be.
It continues, “committee members will conduct an analysis of the list and, further to that analysis, decide whether it is necessary to conduct a longitudinal study of the matter in committee or subcommittee, as they so choose, provided that this decision is made before June 20, 2024”.
We will start when we receive the lists that will allow us to do a preliminary analysis. If we find that there is indeed a widespread problem with the awarding of contracts under the indigenous procurement policy, we can decide, by June 20, whether or not to add this particular topic to the committee's or a subcommittee's studies. It will be up to the members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates to make the decision.
