Thank you, Chair.
Madam President, the Treasury Board has oversight as to the directive on the management of procurement. With our study on McKinsey, there has been a lot of scrutiny and discussion over how to strengthen the integrity regime. I certainly hope this will include reviewing the ineligibility and suspension policy.
Because of your appearance here, I know you're aware that we recently studied McKinsey. Thank you very much for that. We studied them because of the ethical breaches within their organization.
I've reviewed the regime quite extensively. The exemptions within the part 4 applications seem very extensive, but I'm also particularly shocked that McKinsey passed the integrity regime. Particularly relative is section 6, part (b)(v). That part relates to a supplier that has been convicted of an offence. I recognize that McKinsey was not convicted of an offence in the U.S., but the $600-million payout to 49 different jurisdictions, I think, warrants a really close evaluation by the Government of Canada before heading into business with McKinsey and Company. I also think paragraph (vi) of the same section 6, part (b), bears consideration—the trafficking of a substance—which I believe is certainly relative to McKinsey and its role in the opioid crisis.
What the integrity regime currently excludes is human rights, the rule of law and reckless disregard for the health and well-being of Canadians.
With that, I am giving a notice of motion to this committee. Chair, again, to be clear, I'm not moving it at this time. I'll read it again for you to hear, Minister:
That the committee report to the House that, in light of the government's announcement that it will join the class action lawsuit against McKinsey & Company for their role in the opioid crisis, the committee calls on the government to reform the integrity regime associated with procurement in order to exclude companies that have shown reckless disregard for the health and well-being of Canadians, and for human rights and the rule of law.
With you being the President of the Treasury Board, who oversees the directive on the management of procurement, what are your thoughts on that motion? Do you think that is a motion you could support, Minister?