Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you so much for your testimony here today.
We've heard from indigenous witnesses representing organizations and businesses across Canada how important the PSIB, the procurement strategy for indigenous businesses, is and you highlighted that fact.
The Government of Canada enters into 400,000 contracts, purchases or transactions worth $37 billion, and 5% of that, set aside for indigenous businesses, could make and is making a huge difference for indigenous communities and businesses across Canada, but our conversation is about strengthening this program, and it's about strengthening the integrity regime as well.
The previous Harper government's integrity framework had significant weaknesses. I'd like you to speak about the fact that under the old Harper integrity framework, a company like GHI would still be allowed to operate. There wouldn't be any avenues to ban or suspend their contracts with the federal government.
Can you speak about the weaknesses of the old Harper integrity framework and talk about the improvements that have been introduced by this new Office of Supplier Integrity and Compliance? What are the differences?