Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise in the debate on Bill C-52, the public works and government services act.
Less government, less cost, a more responsive attitude: This is the message Canadians are giving us with respect to our government operations.
I conducted a social policy forum in my riding just last Sunday. It was held at Durham College in Oshawa. Many speakers gave me their views on how to change our social programs. This is an important part of our democracy in ensuring that the people who are affected by policies are involved in them. While this forum did not deal specifically with the structure of government, speaker after speaker expressed their views of the need for a smaller and more efficient government that would interact with the public in a manner that would restore meaning to the phrase civil servant.
Many of our civil servants are in fact caring and responsible hard working people who work diligently in the best interests of Canadians. Sustained salary freezes and a moratorium on hiring has created despondency in the ranks of the civil service. The concept of upward mobility seems to have been roadblocked.
Now is the time for new and innovative changes which not only reduce the cost of government operations but most important deliver services more efficiently and more responsibly to the public. Often people are treated to telephone answering machines with messages never returned, or overworked line people who after their 90th unemployment insurance case seem uncaring and unsympathetic.
We must do better. We must rethink our whole attitude toward public sector employment. We must involve employees and the public in the evolution of a new system which will still meet the demands of all Canadians.
We must be prepared to experiment in the public sector in order to achieve a more efficient system. When we say experiment, we mean just that, being prepared to start on a test basis certain pilot projects which will then in turn be monitored to see how they can be extended to the public at large.
I know members would like me to give an example of such a system. We have all been dealing with trying to struggle with a harmonized consumption tax system. The duplication between the provinces and the federal government along with the burden to small and medium sized business has been mentioned many times in this House. In addition, two collection authorities duplicate the work of the government side on this transaction. Indeed in the case of the federal government, it results in over 7 per cent of the funds collected. Currently the harmonization of these taxes has eluded both jurisdictions.
Here is the start of a solution: Why not form an agency for consumption tax collection? This agency would have transferred to it the necessary staff and equipment to collect existing federal tax. The agency would then be set free from the government. The federal government would then become its client.
We could work out a formula for the receipt of tax based on the quantum of moneys collected as well as a bonus for the satisfaction of the general public. The agency would then sell its collection services to the provincial governments, offering to collect their taxes as well. Members will note that there will be no change in tax authorities or who gets what money. It seems to me this would eliminate some of the distress which now exists between jurisdictions. At the same time it would afford for a more efficient collection system.
From this initiative it would not take long for such an agency to suggest to the provinces and the federal government an effective way to only collect the tax once rather than requiring the duplication which now exists.
This is just one illustration of how government could change in order to meet the objectives of Canadians which is for an efficient and effective government, working better and smarter.
Bill C-54 follows this vein by consolidating certain departments of public works and creating a new procurement policy. What is in it for the taxpayers? A reduction of $180 million after five years in operation. A reduction in jobs from 18,000 to 14,000. In addition, due to the last budget, a further reduction of $30 million. These are no small accomplishments, even though members in the opposition would have us believe otherwise.
I would now like to turn my attention to an important new aspect of the procurement policy as outlined in the bill. It relates to contingency fees.
Before coming to the House today I looked up the definition of contingency fees: A future event or circumstance regarded as likely or as influence on present action. This means someone profiting by the success of securing government business. This is a concept of reward not consistent with the public's demand to move toward more integrity in our system. This is the sort of thing that should be abolished and should also be abolished in general lobbying with the federal government.
Since last May all the department's contracts contain a clause requiring bidders to certify they have not hired a lobbyist to solicit award of the contract, where any part of the lobbyist's payment depends directly or indirectly on a client obtaining the contract, or a contingency fee. This is a very good thing.
The minister has also moved quickly to make major improvements in the way contracting for advertising and public opinion research had been handled by the previous government. Previously, there were no effective guidelines for the purchase of these important and sensitive services which left the door open for widespread abuse and political patronage.
For the first time ever, new guidelines have been developed and promulgated with the approval and backing of cabinet. They have brought the procurement of advertising and public opinion research into line with the thrust and policies governing all procurements, namely fairness, openness and transparency.
These guidelines ensure that all contracts awarded for these services advance the policy interests of the government. They ensure that they reflect the government's determination to restore public confidence in the system and the way it conducts the public's business.
By increasing the use of the open bidding system, by introducing the lobbyist clause and by developing new strict guidelines dealing with advertising and public opinion research, the minister has demonstrated his commitment to building a fair and open approach to government procurement.
The Prime Minister has made it clear that restoring public confidence in the integrity of government is a matter of high priority. Dealing fairly and honestly with the thousands of Canadian individuals and companies who do business with the government can go a long way toward achieving that goal.
Passage of the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act will ensure there is a central point of responsibility within government to ensure that the principles and policies governing government procurement are enforced, monitored and adhered to.