Opposition MPs raise concerns around procurement policies, security oversight following cancelled $6.8-million standing offer with Chinese company Nuctech
The purpose of the standing offer was to replace Global Affairs Canada’s older, conveyer-style parcel x-ray machines currently in use at Canadian embassies worldwide. NDP MP Matthew Green says he was 'astounded that we didn’t have a higher security clearance protocol on, particularly, technology relating to our foreign embassies and our missions abroad.'
Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative MP for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, Que., pictured at a press conference on Nov. 26, 2020. Mr. Paul-Hus says 'something fell through the cracks, absolutely,' in regards to the federal government's standing offer made with partially state-owned Chinese security company Nuctech for the installation and operation of X-ray scanners in Canadian embassies. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opposition MPs continue to question why the federal government’s security apparatus did not play a larger role throughout the procurement process following the recent cancellation of a standing offer with partially state-owned Chinese security company Nuctech for the installation and operation of X-ray scanners in Canadian embassies around the world.
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Mike Lapointe joined the The Hill Times in June 2019 and covers the federal public service, deputy ministers, the Privy Council Office, public service unions, the Phoenix pay system, the machinery of government, and the Parliament Hill media. Follow - mlapointe@hilltimes.com
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