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

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 proce

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 st

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

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  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  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

Government Operations committee  In terms of the measures that are available to Canada, we do have provisions in the contract associated with performance under the contract. That is something we will be looking at after we exit the transition period, which ranges from anything between.... We have some fee credit

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 solution

Government Operations committee  As we entered into the transition phase, there was no indication of any concerns. I think we have some important lessons learned about the transition phase, but I think at this stage it's too soon to say whether there was more time needed than the 18 months. I don't know if my

Government Operations committee  I'll start by addressing the question in relation to the number of bidders. There were three compliant bidders associated with this particular process. I don't know the context of the comment by the minister, but I can confirm that we had a separate tendering process associate

Government Operations committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and committee members. I am pleased to be here today, alongside my colleagues from the Treasury Board Secretariat, to support your important study into the Government of Canada contract awarded to Canada Life for the administration of the public service

Government Operations committee  Sorry; just to clarify, are these the provisions related to conflict of interest?

Government Operations committee  All right. We would have specific clauses in the contracts associated with those requirements to ensure the protection of information. I'm sorry that I misunderstood the question.