I have to say that I'm starting to get upset hearing and seeing my colleagues across the way really trying to minimize what was revealed in the Auditor General's report by saying that this was two bad apples, or maybe it was just because times were tough during the pandemic and maybe a little misconduct is really nothing to worry about. Do they really think that at this point?
Ms. Hogan said that this was the worst report she had seen in her career as Auditor General. I think I really have a problem with them trying to minimize these actions right now.
We're talking about people not following processes after they have been warned by Public Services and Procurement Canada. We're talking about collusion with businesses, not that there wasn't enough time. No.
GC Strategies helped draft one of the RFPs that was used to offer them several million dollars. So it's collusion, if not worse, and it's a huge problem. There have been a number of references to gifts being accepted and not reported to the authorities.
I'll tell you one thing: I spent my career in consulting firms. I worked in the field for eight years. In the three consulting firms I worked for, I never won a single contract without submitting a proposal. Whenever I entered into agreements with public servants or teams in companies, there was more than one person involved in the process. It wasn't just the CEO; entire teams were involved.
Criminal offences have likely been committed, so we're not talking about two bad apples, but about a more general attitude within an agency funded directly with public funds. This is a very important issue.
I'd like to know to what extent the ministers responsible are involved. Personally, if I were a minister—and that won't happen at the federal level—and I had heard about anything of this magnitude, I would have followed up weekly with the agency, with you, Ms. O'Gorman.
Have you been involved in frequent follow‑up on this important issue?