Transport committee  We would have, from an implementation perspective, two streams. Over the coming months department officials would be developing criteria for the application for consideration by the minister as to what extent and to which contracts, particular solicitations, this would apply. We

Transport committee  Proposals for the application criteria we would apply to this, too.

Transport committee  For example, the dollar value or threshold—

Transport committee  I'm sorry?

Transport committee  If this bill were to go forward, we're already starting to develop some criteria. Actually I would be interested in hearing from the committee members if there are certain types of projects they feel would benefit from having this apply to them.

Transport committee  On the challenges, I can only speak on behalf of PSPC, with respect to its scope and application. As soon as the bill is passed, we would be applying it to all PSPC contracts that fall within this scope. With respect to including it as rated criteria or mandatory criteria, unfort

Transport committee  To begin with, I would like to clarify something. Bill C-227 requires that in our requests for proposals, information about community benefits be provided. It is important to note that it is not talking about including a community benefits requirement. That is not a mandatory cr

Transport committee  That is a good question. It goes back somewhat to your colleague's comments. The goal of assembling this information and doing an analysis, whether it is after one year or two years, is to determine whether there have, in fact, been the community benefits promised. Otherwise, ba

Transport committee  It would be premature to declare or make a statement with respect to what we anticipate doing. This is the starting point. Once we start collecting the information, if we require modifications in terms of the regime.... For example, right now, it's envisioned that bidders would p

Transport committee  One of the challenges with respect to this bill, from a departmental perspective, is the scope. As you indicated, it's only for those contracts issued and only applies to what is done by PSPC. We manage 30% of federal assets. All government construction activities represent 1% o

Transport committee  The trade agreements that Canada has with our trading partners provide very interesting and very advantageous opportunities for Canadian companies to export. It's a quid pro quo type of arrangement where foreign companies then have access to Canadian markets. The current trade a

Transport committee  I would say that the bill will enable Public Services and Procurement Canada to require that suppliers provide information. Today, we do not collect information about community benefits. With this bill, we will have the power to do that.

Transport committee  I would like to clarify something. We signed a contract with suppliers in the Quebec, Atlantic and Prairies regions. So we know whom we are doing business with. On the question of community benefits, are there apprentices, are parks and other things being built? In my opinion, t

Transport committee  At the moment, that would be optional, but not mandatory.

Transport committee  As I mentioned, it is not that it is difficult, but it would be optional. The supplier has no obligation to do an assessment.