Elizabeth May

“Madam Speaker, it is great to be here today on the week of the federal budget, which is coming this Thursday. It is an exciting week for all of us. I will be sharing my time with the member for Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi. I want to start by acknowledging the buy Canadian policy of our government. It is a very important feature of the government’s strategy right now to build Canada strong. I am pleased to address the questions raised by the official opposition regarding the Canada Revenue Agency’s recent security services contract. Each of us understands the importance of supporting Canadian workers, veterans and industries. I would like to provide clarity on points raised about this procurement decision. First and foremost, let me outline the key facts regarding this procurement. On June 16, 2026, the CRA awarded the security services contract to Universal Protection Service of Canada Corporation, operating as Allied Universal security services. The contract came into effect on August 25, 2026. The contract was awarded to Universal Protection Service of Canada Corporation because its proposal best met the established requirements and offered the highest overall value to Canadians. By using the best value approach, the CRA is confident that contracts are awarded to suppliers that meet the highest standards while minimizing risks to the agency. Some publicly reported information about the evaluation process and its results does not fully and accurately reflect the procurement approach that was used for this contract. The process balanced multiple factors to ensure the best value for the CRA. The outcome was not driven by political considerations, which we often get lots of in the House, but rather by a fair, transparent and open process. The CRA awarded this contract through a competitive, fair and transparent procurement process that was conducted in line with applicable procurement policies and regulations. The Canada Revenue Agency Act, adopted by Parliament, provides the CRA with full authority to contract and develop its own contracting policy framework, while considering, of course, Treasury Board policies and regulations. The agency has always awarded contracts for security services competitively, as it did this time around. All the suppliers that met the requirements of the request for proposal were eligible to compete for this contract. We all acknowledge that competition is good. This decision was made independently and in accordance with all applicable policies. Both Universal Protection Service of Canada Corporation and the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires qualified as Canadian suppliers under the terms of the procurement. Supplier eligibility is determined by established operations and business presence in Canada, consistent with procurement policies and trade obligations. I feel it is important to note that Universal Protection Service of Canada Corporation employs approximately 10,000 people across Canada at 19 locations nationwide, and its Canadian headquarters is in Mississauga, Ontario. This contract was for 60 security guards, and 33 of them, which is over half, were former commissionaires, with 12 of them having served in uniform previously. The CRA conducted this procurement process by incorporating a wide range of criteria, as is the case with many procurements. In this case, these included quality, capability, cost and risk. Proposals were evaluated based on both technical and financial merit to determine which company offered the best overall value. The final decision was based on the CRA’s procurement process, which again is guided by the best value approach. This means that the contract was not awarded solely based on the lowest price, but to the bidder with the highest combined score in all of the areas. I would like to emphasize that the CRA values the long-standing relationship it has with the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires. Commissionaires has made significant contributions to providing security services to the agency and has demonstrated a strong commitment to support veterans from the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Like all Canadians, we greatly appreciate its efforts. The outcome of this procurement was strictly the result of a competitive evaluation process conducted in accordance with established procurement guidelines and principles. While veterans remain an important part of the Canadian workforce, it is worth noting that employment opportunities for veterans have expanded significantly in recent years through initiatives such as the national veterans employment strategy. This strategy has created a more diverse set of employment opportunities for veterans by fostering collaboration between government employers and other partners and, as such, veterans have increasingly been connected with more varied job opportunities as a result. As previously noted, the Canada Revenue Agency Act provides the CRA with the authority to enter into contracts and manage all matters relating to general administrative policy, including procurement. The CRA has full authority to contract and develop its own contracting policy framework while considering Treasury Board policies and regulations. The CRA remains committed, of course, to upholding its procurement obligations in accordance with its policies and codes of conduct, as well as the Government of Canada’s obligations. The CRA’s decision reflects a commitment to fairness, value and transparency in all procurement activities. The government, of course, remains committed to supporting Canadian workers, including veterans, and to upholding the principles of our trade agreements and procurement policies. It is imperative that Canadians have confidence in the CRA’s processes and understand that decisions are made in their best interests, with a focus on delivering high-quality services while minimizing risks.”