Discussion · Government Orders
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Québécois
“I am worried about the part of this budget bill about government contracts. It lets the government use Crown corporations to get around normal spending rules. Crown corporations do not have the same rules for accountability as government departments.”
“Madam Speaker, I feel like I am unrecognizable today. In summary, I have concerns when I look at Bill C‑31, especially the part about public contracts. The bill says that this division amends the financial administration to authorize the government to make regulations with respect to the conditions under which contracts may be entered into, despite any other act of Parliament. Essentially, the main amendment seems to be adding Crown corporations. Are federal Crown corporations becoming the new way to get around the Financial Administration Act? We just finished studying this at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Clearly, Crown corporations are like black holes: Accountability is not the same as within a department. Is it still a democracy when the government skirts the law and uses Crown corporations for expenses that the government should be incurring itself? I would like to ask my colleague that question.”
Madam Speaker, I feel like I am unrecognizable today. In summary, I have concerns when I look at Bill C‑31, especially the part about public contracts. The bill says that this division amends the financial administration to authorize the government to make regulations with respect to the conditions under which contracts may be entered into, despite any other act of Parliament. Essentially, the main amendment seems to be adding Crown corporations. Are federal Crown corporations becoming the new way to get around the Financial Administration Act? We just finished studying this at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Clearly, Crown corporations are like black holes: Accountability is not the same as within a department. Is it still a democracy when the government skirts the law and uses Crown corporations for expenses that the government should be incurring itself? I would like to ask my colleague that question.