Discussion · Government Orders
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Québécois
“The Commissionaires organization is about to lose its special right to bid first on federal security guard jobs. This hurts veterans who need work after leaving the military. I want to know if the government thinks it makes sense to let this right expire on March 31.”
“Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the parliamentary secretary on her speech. I have the privilege of serving alongside her on the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. Let us be honest. Everyone in this House knows that the right of first refusal currently held by the Commissionaires organization—formerly known as the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, which has existed since 1945 and just celebrated its 80th anniversary—will expire on March 31. Consequently, as of April 1, that right will no longer be on any government tender documents for security guard services anywhere in the government. It seems to me that this runs counter to the discussions we have had at the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, where we have been exploring ways to help veterans transition successfully into the labour market following their military careers. My question is quite simple: Does the parliamentary secretary believe it makes sense to allow the right of first refusal to expire on March 31?”
Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the parliamentary secretary on her speech. I have the privilege of serving alongside her on the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. Let us be honest. Everyone in this House knows that the right of first refusal currently held by the Commissionaires organization—formerly known as the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, which has existed since 1945 and just celebrated its 80th anniversary—will expire on March 31. Consequently, as of April 1, that right will no longer be on any government tender documents for security guard services anywhere in the government. It seems to me that this runs counter to the discussions we have had at the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, where we have been exploring ways to help veterans transition successfully into the labour market following their military careers. My question is quite simple: Does the parliamentary secretary believe it makes sense to allow the right of first refusal to expire on March 31?