Evidence of meeting #9 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was office.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
You spoke about works in progress that you can't get to because of a lack of resources. Would you be able to detail some of the ones you're looking at?
Procurement Ombud, Office of the Procurement Ombud
Absolutely. Do you want me to do that now?
Conservative
Procurement Ombud, Office of the Procurement Ombud
Yes, I can do that in writing.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I have one other question. On the bait and switch, it was mostly around IT resources. I'm wondering whether it extends to other purchases within the government. I'm going to ask, specifically, about large projects that are funded by the federal government and go to a main contractor. We've been hearing reports that they are now subcontracting out to subcontractors, who then fill positions with inappropriate, illegal or unqualified labour. Have you heard of that? Would your department get into studying such an issue?
Procurement Ombud, Office of the Procurement Ombud
Unfortunately, our mandate doesn't extend to subcontractors, because they don't have a direct contractual relationship with the federal government, so it would be the prime's relationship to the federal government that gives us the mandate. The subcontractor has a private legal relationship with the prime. Therefore, we don't have the line of sight on the subcontractor-prime issues.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I want to thank you for pointing out the great work that Procurement Assistance Canada does—the old GC Buyandsell. They do a fantastic job. If there are any small businesses looking right now, I highly recommend you look them up; they do a fantastic job of connecting Edmonton, Albertan and Canadian small businesses with government contracting. I'll send a bill for that endorsement. They really do a great job, so I appreciate you for bringing it up.
Before we go, colleagues, I just want to mention that Lindsay here, one of our analysts, was with OGGO for a long time but has moved over to the Senate. Thank you for filling in today. She's certainly one of the best analysts we've had and is a wonderful complement to Olivier. Thank you very much for joining us.
Thank you again, Ms. Kilrea, for being with us.
Mr. Jeglic, again, thank you for everything you've done and for your testimony today. We greatly appreciate it.
Colleagues, if there's nothing else, we will be adjourned. Thanks very much, everyone.