Latest news with #GCStrategies
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Procurement Ombud calls for ‘overhaul' of federal procurement system
To get the federal government's procurement process on the fast track and unclog its multiple layers of red tape, the independent Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) is recommending an 'overhaul' of the system. 'We can no longer sustain Band-Aid solutions. We have to address the foundational issue that our system is too complex and it's not working for all participants,' said Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic in a news conference. Jeglic says the immediate creation of a Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) tops the ombud's list of solutions to modernize the process, increase accountability and provide taxpayers with better value for money. Today, the OPO presented its top five 'foundational changes' to modernize the process. The blueprint recommends: Establish a Chief Procurement Officer (CPO); Create vendor performance tracking system; One universal set of procurement rules; Use of artificial intelligence; Increase transparency by creating a government wide portal to collect procurement data The OPO recommendations come after the Auditor General revealed in June that most of the contracts awarded to GC Strategies did not have adequate records indicating who performed the work, what work was completed, and if the people doing the work had the necessary qualifications. GC Strategies was awarded 106 contracts over nine years with 31 federal organizations. GC Strategies was hired by the Canada Border Services Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic to create the ArriveCan app, which ballooned in cost from $80,000 to nearly $60 million. Jeglic acknowledges there are poor performers that keep getting government contracts and that 'there is a financial cost to that poor performance, but there aren't the tools available yet to address that.' After a study that involved interviews with 10 procurement experts from industry, legal and academic sectors, and 115 surveys from procurement officers working within the federal public service, the OPO report ranked the establishment of a CPO as the most critical change required to address some issues which have 'spanned decades.' Jeglic notes that a CPO would provide a single point of accountability. The report found that the current system is 'marked by silos' which can be redundant, and at other times, leave glaring gaps. 'When accountabilities and responsibilities in a procurement system are not exceptionally clear, it becomes very difficult to address the problems plaguing the system,' the OPO report found. System to evaluate performance The ombud is also recommending building a system to evaluate the performance of suppliers based on four criteria including the quality of the product delivered, the cost, whether the project was completed on time and how well the vendor managed subcontractors and communicated with the client This type of vendor management system is used in Europe, functions in several provinces and is used by many local governments. The OPO says a single set of procurement rules should also be laid out to provide public servants with clear guidelines to 'untangle complex layers and streamline federal procurement.' Streamlining the decision-making process can also be done through wider use of artificial intelligence, but the ombud cautions that AI presents a 'myriad of opportunities, challenges and risk.' Jeglic said that suppliers are already using AI in the bidding process and that the federal government needs to incorporate it as well or 'risk being left behind.' The OPO report says the procurement of AI must be ethical and procurement processes must ensure transparency in the tools that are bought,' and that regular audits need to be conducted to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines. Rounding out the OPO's fifth recommendation for foundational change, is the building of a centralized database for all federal procurements as a means to increase transparency. This database would hold guidelines, policies and procedures. This would allow departments to share information and compare progress. Ensuring competition Jeglic did not have estimates on how much money could be saved through the changes, but says one of the ways to increase value for taxpayers is to ensure competition. He says that the current federal procurement system is preventing some Canadian contractors from bidding and building up their experience to become viable suppliers globally. 'Ensuring we have a robust and diverse supply chain in Canada is all of our responsibilities - but ensuring they can grow by selling to the federal government is also part of that solution.' Although improving Indigenous procurement was not in its top five, the OPO says many of the experts and public servants it surveyed highlighted a need for the federal government to do more to improve its relationship with Indigenous suppliers. Concerns were raised that the government's approach was 'paternalistic' and that there was no wording to assist procurement officers in making decisions that took into account reconciliation efforts. Defence procurement The OPO also noted that defence procurement was one of the most frequently raised topics, fuelled by media reports that highlighted long delays and cost overruns. Jeglic says the experts his office interviewed suggested the creation of a chief procurement officer just for defence, while other proposed giving the Department of National Defence sole contracting authority in order to eliminate 'difficulties in interdepartmental relationships' and streamline the process. Defence contracts will be increasingly scrutinized as Canada is expected to spend an additional $9 billion to reach the 2 per cent NATO spending target this year, while committing to the new 5 per cent target by 2035. 'If we do not act now, I fear I will be here in two years time saying the same thing. It's incumbent on everyone involved in federal procurement to address the issues.' CTV News has reached out to federal procurement minister, Joel Lightbound for comment but has yet to receive a response.
Toronto Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
EDITORIAL: ArriveCAN ban should be permanent
Ontario's border city mayors have joined their national and American counterparts in an open letter calling for the end of the ArriveCAN app requirements. Photo by Dax Melmer / Windsor Star A scathing report by federal auditor general Karen Hogan this week slammed the government for failing to follow its own rules on procurement policies. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Hogan reported that generally, in the civil service, millions of dollars of contracts were awarded without the required checks and balances on whether workers had security clearances or even whether the work had been done. Last year, Hogan published an audit on ArriveCAN, the controversial and now largely unused app that was required for travel to this country during the pandemic. That report found the government didn't deliver value to taxpayers and three federal departments disregarded federal policies in awarding contracts. Last week, GCStrategies, the company at the heart of the ArriveCAN boondoggle, was banned from federal contracts for seven years. That seems a ludicrously small penalty given the shocking nature of the findings by the auditor about the company's role in the ArriveCAN controversy. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Conservatives have called for a lifetime ban on GCStrategies. That seems a more realistic penalty. We don't want to get taken to the cleaners again. 'It's a new Parliament, but we're dealing with the same old Liberal scandals,' Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis told the House on Thursday. 'They want to hide their scandals from Canadians, but the auditor general report is very clear. This Liberal government ignored the rules and allowed insiders to profit to the tune of $64 million.' The ArriveCAN app was originally supposed to cost $80,000, but that ballooned to about $60 million. Sure, it's a new government and a new cabinet. But we need a strong message from Prime Minister Mark Carney that he didn't just shuffle cabinet chairs on the Titanic. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Joel Lightbound, the new minister responsible for government procurement, told the House that in addition to the ban, they've terminated all GCStrategies' contracts and taken legal action. 'We referred cases to the RCMP because, Mr. Speaker, we will never tolerate misconduct from our suppliers or their subcontractors.' That sounds remarkably like shutting the vault doors after the tax dollars have flown. We await the police report with interest. Canadians are sick of seeing their tax dollars flushed down the toilet while vital services, such as defence, are underfunded. It's time to root out waste and mismanagement and start treating our tax dollars with respect. World World Canada Celebrity Toronto & GTA
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Canadian Foreign Min Anita Anand makes statement in House on 1 Canadian death aboard AI 787-8 flight - The Economic Times Video
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand condoled the demise of the Canadian, as well as 240 other passengers who died in a plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12. The Conservatives in Canadian parliament also cornered Liberals and PM Mark Carney over contracts to GC Strategies, which is in RCMP investigation over the ArriveCan controversy during COVID-19. The parliament also debated over invites to India and Saudi Arabia to G7 in Canada.
Toronto Sun
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Liberals accused of trying to 'hide their scandals' after scathing auditor reports
Government's responses to scandal 'wouldn't take the scum off rice pudding,' Tory MP says OTTAWA — Recent auditor general reports on questionable government spending provided plenty of ammunition for the Conservatives Thursday during question period. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Query after query came from the opposition benches on Auditor General Karen Hogan's bombshell reports released this week, including Canada's floundering purchase of 88 new fighter jets to work outsourced to questionably qualified government contractors. Try refreshing your browser, or Liberals accused of trying to 'hide their scandals' after scathing auditor reports Try refreshing your browser, or 'The Liberals should not be dodging accountability; they want to hide their scandals from Canadians, but the auditor general report was very clear — this Liberal government ignored the rules and allowed insiders to profit to the tune of $64 million.' 'The Liberals gave $64 million to GC Strategies, a two-person IT firm that did no actual work and is currently under RCMP investigation,' Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis said during question period. Please try again The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. Thanks for signing up! By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The Conservatives tabled a motion in the House to recover money paid to GC Strategies — responsible for creating the contentious ArriveCan app — within 100 days. Lewis said the scandal suggests Liberals are showing disdain for Canadians by rewarding the ministers responsible with promotions to other portfolios. In response, Procurement Minister Joel Lightbound said the government revoked security clearances to GC Strategies, which according to Hogan's report saw 31 federal agencies award them 106 contracts worth a total of $92.7 million. Only $64 million of that was paid out. 'We've terminated all contracts with GC Strategies, we've barred GC Strategies from future contracts with the government of Canada,' Lightbound said.
Globe and Mail
12-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Letters to the editor, June 12: ‘I fear that without significant constitutional reforms, Canada is in the early stages of inevitable economic demise'
Re 'ArriveCan's main contractor GCStrategies paid without ensuring work was done: A-G' (June 11): The Auditor-General's report makes it clear that at issue was government services not following its own rules in awarding contracts, thus wasting taxpayer dollars. Mark Carney's response was to point out that GCStrategies has been suspended from receiving further contracts. Fine, but what about the individuals and departments found to have broken government rules? Apparently nothing, as Mr. Carney simply pledges to do better going forward. A new government, but seemingly the same values on accountability. David Harper Burlington, Ont. Re 'Canada invites Saudi Crown Prince to G7 summit' (June 11): This deeply disturbs me. Is it possible that the Prime Minister or his advisers are unaware of the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a brutal act with the Crown Prince's fingerprints all over it? Are we so desperate for investment and trade to want to engage with such an authoritarian regime? For a country that professes to believe in the rule of law and human rights, this invitation disgusts me. Ken Pattern Vancouver Re 'Mexico and Canada fell apart over migration. Could it bring us back together?' (June 10): I have long been puzzled by what has appeared to be Canadian indifference toward things Mexican beyond tequila, tacos and beach resorts. Mexicans are enormously diverse, a trait that we share, and know exactly who they are as a people and a nation. Nowhere do I see a sugar-coating of their often-violent history. As a NAFTA partner and, yes, often times a competitor, we have missed an opportunity to gain a solid foothold into our own hemisphere with the world's largest Spanish-speaking nation. Bilingual Canadians will likely find learning Spanish quite easy, as I did during the pandemic. I support the Carney government's look across the ocean to Europe. I would be enthusiastic about deepening engagement with Mexico. David Roy Toronto Re 'The Liberals get around to fixing the thing they broke' (Editorial, June 7): The underlying purpose of refugee law is not to protect those fleeing from past persecution. It is to protect those who face future persecution. The length of time a person has spent in Canada should have no bearing on this issue and thus should not be used as a reason for diluting procedural protections for some claimants. Donald Galloway Victoria Re 'ROI' (Letters, June 11): Letter-writers do a good job of explaining the opposing views on building pipelines as nation-building projects, and I find merit in both arguments. It seems to me that a compromise – where Canada builds pipelines yet does so in the most ethical and efficient manner, with proceeds earmarked for environmental objectives – could win the day. 'Building a nation' with such disparate interests necessitates a balanced approach. Jeff Zuk Hamilton Even before new energy infrastructure projects have been announced, the usual suspects of opposition are out in force. The swell of national unity is, it seems, not unbounded, but conditional. It is becoming increasingly clear to me that Canada is ungovernable. This nation, as currently configured, feels set up to fail. Canada may not only be left behind with respect to major infrastructure: We will likely become technology slaves dependent upon the United States. Optimism alone is not a recipe for success. I fear that without significant constitutional reforms, Canada is in the early stages of inevitable economic demise that will increase the likelihood of 'absorption' by the U.S. Martin McMahon Oak Bay, B.C. Re 'Advocates question tax-cut bill's plan to shield federal parties from provincial privacy laws' (June 10): I find it incomprehensible and shocking that federal parties are not subject to any privacy legislation. And I find it disturbing that the Liberals would attempt to quietly entrench this unacceptable state of affairs in an unrelated bill. The lack of privacy protections for Canadians is not an abstract matter. The infamous 'robocall' data breach and electoral crime of 2011 played out across the country. There were no legal or financial consequences for the Conservative Party itself for this egregious data breach. They were not obligated to inform individuals who had their data compromised. We learned through the Cambridge Analytica scandal in the United States that political parties can amass thousands of data points about every elector. It's long past time for federal parties to be subject to meaningful privacy legislation. Canadians should demand it. Susan Watson Guelph, Ont. I guess we shouldn't look to the federal government to address any privacy concerns we might have, since they want to grant themselves immunity from any such legislation. Do as we say…. Paddy Fuller Ottawa Re 'In a challenging market, a few brave developers push forward' (Real Estate, June 6): There is forecasted to be 24,000 unsold condos sitting on the market in Toronto and 3,500 in Vancouver by the end of the year. Maybe we should figure out how to build stuff people want to live in, and can afford to purchase, before we embark on the federal government's 'build, baby, build' strategy for solving the housing crisis. Barbara Yaffe Vancouver Re 'CIBC chief calls for tax changes to help young Canadians struggling to save money' (Report on Business, June 10): I do not disagree with helping young Canadians, but I think the CIBC CEO's recommendation will serve the bank well. Of course the bank wants to negotiate more mortgages. What is CIBC doing to help young people? Are they reducing banking fees, increasing interest earned on money in the bank or lowering interest rates on loans? Jan Vanderwal Toronto Re 'Is AI dulling critical-thinking skills? As tech companies court students, educators weigh the risks' (June 7): With the advent of the pocket calculator came the mantra that tech will make learning easier. With the personal computer it was that tech will make learning fun. With artificial intelligence it will be that tech will make learning unnecessary. I'm not a Luddite. I'm just reflecting on a lifetime of experience in education, the snake oil that senior decision-makers have bought over the decades and the ill effects of their decisions. Learning requires a mix of effort, focus and discipline. It always has. Before we use the tools, we should learn how to use our brains. Dan Brennan Belleville, Ont. .................................................................................................................................. Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@
