PACP Committee News Release
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Standing Committee on Public Accounts |
HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6 |
Comité permanent des comptes publics |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
Public Works Contracting is Fair and Transparent
Ottawa, December 03, 2009 -
Contracting for professional services at Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, with few exceptions, according to a report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts presented in the House of Commons today by Chair Shawn Murphy, MP.
The government spends more than $7 billion annually on professional services, with PWGSC spending approximately $1 billion of that amount. Professional services include the services of accountants, lawyers, architects, engineers, translators, doctors, nurses, management, data processing, and other technical experts.
In its December 2008 Report, the Office of the Auditor General examined whether PWGSC contracting complied with the appropriate legislation and policies. The audit found that PWGSC was in overall compliance with the government's rules when awarding publicly tendered and sole source contracts.
In its report, the Public Accounts Committee expressed concern that PWGSC could create employee/employer relationships when it enters into long-term contractual arrangements with consultants, resulting in government liability for pensions or other benefits. The Committee recommended that PWGSC initiate a review of its long term IT contracting policy.
The Committee stated that it was encouraged by the overall results of the audit, and anticipated that PWGSC’s policies and best practices in contracting could serve as a model for other government departments.
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