The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, today announced that the new Office of the Procurement Ombudsman is up and running to help ensure fairness and transparency in federal government procurement.
The Ministers announced the official establishment of the Office of the Procurement Ombudsman – one of the final steps in the implementation of the Federal Accountability Act.
“We listened to Canadian businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, and we have delivered on our commitment to strengthen their confidence in public procurement,” said Minister Fortier. “The Office will help address their concerns to ensure that the highest standards of ethical conduct are followed.”
Operating at arm’s length from federal government departments, the Office of the Procurement Ombudsman will:
* review departmental procurement practices to ensure greater fairness, openness, and transparency in federal procurement and make recommendations;
* review complaints from Canadian suppliers respecting the award of a contract for acquisition of goods below the value of $25,000 and services below the value of $100,000 and the administration of a contract, regardless of dollar value;
* ensure the provision of an alternate dispute resolution process at the request of each party to a contract; and
* perform any other duty or function respecting the practices of departments for acquiring materiel and services that may be assigned by order of the Governor in Council or the Minister.
“The new Code of Conduct for Procurement introduced in September and the appointment of a Procurement Ombudsman are key components of the Federal Accountability Act and they deliver on our government’s commitment to Canadians to ensure fairness, openness and transparency in the bidding process for government contracts” said Minister Toews.
Today’s announcement follows the coming into force of legislation and regulations which establish the function of the Procurement Ombudsman. Mr. Shahid Minto is now officially appointed as the government’s first Procurement Ombudsman.
“Since my appointment as Procurement Ombudsman Designate last September, a lot has been accomplished behind the scenes and the Office is now in place and ready to fulfill its mandate,” said Mr. Minto. “Our commitment is to help improve the fairness, openness and transparency of government procurement.”
This announcement is part of the implementation of the Federal Accountability Act (FedAA). Through the FedAA and its companion Action Plan, the Government has brought forward specific measures to strengthen accountability in government. More information on the FedAA and Action Plan is available at www.accountability.ca.