Thank you, Madam Chair. I had questions, too, on contracting and procurement. Certainly, there is a very high rate of sole-sourced contracting. I believe it’s close to 25 percent; almost 50 percent when we throw in negotiated contracts.
The last time we looked at these processes, I discovered some shabby processes. For example, two contracts with identical work were issued to two different providers with, again, identical reasons, that reason being there’s only one contractor to provide the work. Obviously, that’s not satisfactory and I think there’s been some work done since then.
There are other concerns about, for example, should there ever be an inappropriate relationship with some suppliers which might give an unfair advantage to those suppliers. The management being contracted out to someone who then ignores the Minister’s direction and doesn’t give fair weight to local providers.
Another practice that the Minister mentioned was changing policy or deciding to implement policy without prior notice to suppliers. And finally, overly specific requirements in contracts right down to the brand name, often based on some individual in a department, when, obviously, an equivalent would do the job, and does in many cases. These are just issues.
I believe the Minister indicated the comptroller is doing a review. I hadn’t been aware of that. I appreciate that information. Do we know what the terms of reference is for this review? Maybe I shouldn’t be asking this Minister that question, but I’d be interested if there are terms of reference for that review, if he knows, and when that review is due. Thank you.