Government Operations committee  What I would add here is that when looking at the types of contracting that were done in the instance of McKinsey, you have the full range: we've used supply arrangements and standing offers, as well as competitive processes and sole-source. In each of those instances, there would be a different type of engagement with the industry members that would have been competing.

Government Operations committee  I'll just add to that in terms of the use of these methods of supply. We use them for the flexibility they provide to the system and for us to be able to leverage them. I just wanted to add that, as of 2023, we did require sole-source justifications and statements of work that were clearly defined requirements for all of the benchmarking national master standing offers until they expired.

Government Operations committee  That's correct. It was consistent with the approach that we were taking in the business line at the time, but we have adjusted that in light of the observations that have been made. We noted the requirement to have additional documentation.

Government Operations committee  We're happy to provide the name. I can tell you the level. It was an executive, a senior director in our procurement office.

Government Operations committee  It was in 2021, which was before I was there. I believe the individual is no longer employed in the department, but I'd be happy to provide the name.

Government Operations committee  The national master standing offer was established as per our normal protocol for all national master standing offers. A commodity lead was responsible for the approval. In the case of professional services, it was at the executive 2 level. That was the level that approved this national master standing offer.

Government Operations committee  Why don't I start and then turn to Marie-Chantal for a Treasury Board Secretariat perspective? With regard to our respective roles here, PSPC is the contracting authority, so we're responsible for ensuring an open, fair and transparent procurement process—in this case, it was a competitive process—as well as supporting our colleagues in the stewardship of the contract and ensuring that we are appropriately managing our contractual relationship with Canada Life.

Government Operations committee  Again, it was a competitive process, and Canada Life was evaluated as being the top-ranked bidder within that process. Due to the value of this particular contract, we did require the authority of the Treasury Board in order to award the contract, so we did go through that process.

Government Operations committee  In terms of the start-up phase, as was previously indicated, there was an integrated schedule and plan associated with that, and there were milestones. There were a number of items that were focused on from an essential perspective. I don't have the full assessment yet of the start-up in terms of exactly how many of the milestones were met exactly, but that's work that we are doing with our colleagues at the Treasury Board in terms of ensuring the appropriate due diligence.

Government Operations committee  As I indicated in my opening remarks, we had three compliant bidders associated with this competitive procurement. I'm afraid I'm not able to comment on the other bidders that participated. That's part of the confidentiality requirements of the RFP, and it's an obligation as well under our trade agreement.

Government Operations committee  The transition period began on July 1 and will last until January. A six-month period of transition was anticipated under the contract.

Government Operations committee  Perhaps I will turn to my colleague Madame Archambault to go through the phases, including the timing associated with the 18 months. I don't have the exact dates. Do you have the exact date of the start of the 18 months?

Government Operations committee  I'm afraid that I'm not able to disclose the names of the other bidders. That is information that we have to hold confidential.

Government Operations committee  Prior to the transition period, there was a start-up phase of approximately 18 months, during which Canada Life prepared to take on the claims administration. That's when they would have undertaken the work necessary, including standing up the call centre and some of the solutions necessary to do the benefits processing.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for the question. As I indicated in my opening remarks, when we are embarking on a program of this complexity, we absolutely would expect there to be a transition period, given some of the uncertainty that would be associated with the planning parameters that go into it.