Mr. Speaker, this bill is a further safeguard to ensure that the government is committed to govern with integrity and will take every measure necessary to restore confidence in the institutions of government.
This bill is about public-private partnering. The Minister of Public Works and Government Services is committed to further investigation and development of a potential for partnering. He is working at building the kinds of partnerships and working arrangements which will be beneficial to the government, the business community and the people of Canada. This commitment is shared by the Prime Minister.
Bill C-52 is needed to allow the minister to fulfil his commitment to further investigate and develop the potential for beneficial public-private partnering and working arrangements as well. This bill is about the efficiency of the federation.
PWGSC is contributing to the efficiency of the federation initiatives in the area of shared government support services. Priority areas identified include infomatics, procurement and realty services. PWGSC is in the process of negotiating with the provinces and territories on shared government support services.
Bill C-52 will enhance efficiency of the federation initiatives in that it will simplify administrative processes, leading to sharing arrangements with other levels of government.
Bill C-52 is about good government and improving services. It is essential that we get on with this bill. I look forward to the support of my colleagues.
This bill is about responsible and responsive government. We have consulted extensively with the Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada, the ACEC, and have made every effort to accommodate the concerns of this special interest group.
We recognize that the issue raised is a very important one.
First, we have put forward two separate amendments to section 16 of the bill, one at committee stage clarifying that the department would only provide services outside the federal government at the request of another level of government or private sector firm.
The member for Guelph-Wellington has now also introduced an amendment stating that this will be done only after receiving governor in council approval.
Second, the minister has directed his department to undertake a comprehensive review of the levels of out-sourcing of the government's architectural and engineering requirements. For this review, a consultative committee comprised of industry, union and government representatives has been established to provide advice throughout all phases.
This study is now under way with a report expected in the spring.
As I just pointed out, we are merging departments. We are integrating, if you will, four former departments, and we are modernizing. We are responsive to the issues raised by a number of people and we are trying to be sensitive to their concerns. I believe this bill does just that.