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Public Works and Government Services December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, again, our contractual obligations are with the general contractor. In the instance of this general contractor, our contract with them is covered by our integrity framework. We have all of the measures in place to protect taxpayers' dollars in regard to our contractual obligations with the contract for operations and maintenance of federal buildings.
Public Works and Government Services December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday in the House, our contractual obligations are with the general contractor. In this particular instance, the contract with this general contractor is for the operations and maintenance of our federal buildings. Our objective is always to have high quality work done at the lowest cost to taxpayers. This general contractor did put in the lowest compliant bid.
In terms of this general contractor, when specific allegations were made we brought in PricewaterhouseCoopers. We have implemented all of the auditor's recommendations with this general contractor.
National Defence December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, when we became aware of the concerns raised by the Auditor General, we immediately pressed reset on this process, and we have set up a secretariat to ensure that there is maximum oversight and due diligence, including independent oversight. Again, no funds have been spent on the acquisition of any fighter aircraft and no funds will be spent until we do the due diligence necessary.
National Defence December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, that open and transparent process started right after the Auditor General's report. We accepted his recommendation and we put in place a process to ensure there is full due diligence and transparency—
National Defence December 5th, 2012
Again, Mr. Speaker, the member knows full well that no funds have been spent on the acquisition of any new aircraft. The member agrees with me, I know, and everyone in the chamber I am sure does, that we do need to replace our aging fleet of CF-18s. However, before we do that, we have set up a process to make sure that all of the costs for the F-35 are verified, that this be public and there be full transparency in this process.
All options are on the table and we will make sure that we take all of those steps before making any decisions to replace the CF-18.
National Defence December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that no funds have been spent on the acquisition of any new aircraft. In fact, the government has made a decision to press reset on this process.
We have set up a secretariat to do the due diligence necessary and do a full options analysis before we spend any funds on replacing the CF-18s.
National Defence December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, General Lawson has also indicated his support for the process that the secretariat is undertaking to ensure that all the due diligence is done in leading up to a decision about the acquisition to replace the CF-18s.
In terms of the options analysis, the present statement of requirements is being set aside. As the full options analysis is being done, the terms of reference for that options analysis will be made public and the member will be able to take a look at it.
Public Works and Government Services December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, absolutely not. This contract, like every other contract we have with suppliers, is covered by our new integrity framework. If the member would like any additional information on that, she is welcome to a briefing.
Furthermore, when specific allegations about this contract were raised we brought in an independent auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and we have implemented all of its recommendations, including increased oversight and monitoring of this general contractor. In late 2010, I did order a re-procurement of this contract.
Public Works and Government Services December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, our contractual obligations are with the general contractor. In terms of the contract for the operations and maintenance of federal buildings, our objective is obviously to have quality work done at the lowest cost to taxpayers, and the winning contractor did have the lowest bid.
In terms of the specific concerns that were raised about this contract in 2010, we ordered an independent audit done by PricewaterhouseCoopers, and all of its recommendations have been implemented, including increased oversight and monitoring of this contract. In addition, I ordered in late 2010 a re-procurement of this contract.
National Defence December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, what the Auditor General recommended is that the Department of National Defence revise its cost estimates for the F-35 and make them public. We have gone one step further. In fact, we are pressing reset on this process. We have established a secretariat to oversee this process moving forward, including two independent members, which will provide oversight for the work done by officials.