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Public Services and Procurement

During question period on public services and procurement, Kelly Block of the Conservatives asked about a provision in the government’s budget bill that she said gives cabinet more power to award contracts while limiting the independence of the procurement ombudsman, the office meant to review how contracts are handed out, and asked why the rules were being changed. Joël Lightbound, responding for the Liberals, said the government values the work of the procurement ombudsman and the Auditor General, saying both help ensure government purchasing is open, fair, and follows the rules.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Kelly Block

Conservative
“The Liberals' budget bill gives ministers more power to hand out contracts while silencing the watchdog meant to monitor them. Why are they changing the rules so they can give out contracts without anyone watching?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that was a serious question that deserved a serious answer. Buried in the Liberals’ omnibus budget bill is yet another ministerial power grab. Cabinet gives itself more powers to award contracts while allowing itself to muzzle the very watchdog, the procurement ombudsman, who is meant to monitor it. Why are the Liberals rigging the rules so they can hand out contracts without anyone watching?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“I support the work of the procurement watchdog. Both the watchdog and the Auditor General help make sure government buying is open, fair, and follows the rules.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, to the contrary, I want to highlight and thank the procurement ombud for the work he has done over the years and for the work he is doing. The Auditor General also has a role to play in helping us to make sure that as we go forward with procurement, all procurements respect the highest standard and that they are done transparently in an open and competitive process, which is the basic rule.

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