Government Operations Committee on Feb. 8th, 2023

[Roch Huppé]

Again, there are different ways that you can define the bid requirements. If you're not exactly for certain.... You may not know exactly what's out there. You know what you need. There are industry days that you can conduct in an open, fair and transparent way, where you will tap into that knowledge to see what exists out there and what kinds of services you could be receiving. There are requests for information that departments can use—again, in a very open and transparent way—to help them define exactly what they're looking for to ensure that they're going to get the most value in the outcome of the contract.

[Parm Bains, Liberal, Steveston—Richmond East, BC]

If I can sneak this in.... Who evaluates each bid to ensure that it matches the bid requirements and provides the best value for money?

[Mona Fortier]

A senior official is identified, per department, to undertake that evaluation. Every department identifies that senior official.

[Parm Bains, Liberal, Steveston—Richmond East, BC]

Okay. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thank you, Mr. Bains. I'm afraid that's it.

We'll have Mr. Genuis for five minutes, please.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you.

Minister, I want to confirm that you said that your report on McKinsey procurement will be made public by June 30. Is that correct?

[Mona Fortier]

If I'm asked to present it publicly, I will.

Our officials and I have sent out a letter to the departments to send us—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I'm sorry, Minister. I know the particulars of the review, so I don't need those reviewed.

[Mona Fortier]

I would just like to explain the process, if it's possible.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

You've already explained it.

Will you be making this public, or have you not determined yet if you're going to make it public?

[Mona Fortier]

I think in this case, because we want to make sure that we're transparent, we will be making this public.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Okay, so the report will be public.

[Mona Fortier]

Yes.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Before June 30...?

[Mona Fortier]

Not before June 30. We are engaging to have the report done by June 30.

As you know, we're asking departments to send us—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Okay, it will be done by June 30. It will be made public at some point after that.

[Mona Fortier]

We are expecting to be done by June 30, and I'm hoping to be able to make it public as soon as possible after we have done the report.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Okay.

Would you call your review an independent review?

[Mona Fortier]

We will be doing the review, as asked by the Prime Minister, to—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Would you describe it as an independent review, though?

[Mona Fortier]

Yes. I have independent auditors in the different departments.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Okay, but will you—

[Mona Fortier]

As I said earlier—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

—hold the pen, ultimately, on the report, or will the auditors hold the pen on the report?

[Mona Fortier]

The department will be holding the pen on the report.