Feds should ‘sharpen’ definition of Canadian to ensure new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy works, says industry
‘There is a real difference between operating here and actually anchoring value here, and policy should reflect that,’ says Daniel Perry, director of federal affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators.
Feds push ahead with ‘transformative’ $60-billion to $90-billion high-speed rail project as experts urge caution over major cost over-runs, land acquisition powers
The railway will eventually span approximately 1,000 kilometres from Toronto to Quebec City. It will reach speeds of up to 300 km/hour, cutting travel times by half. The government says the project will boost GDP by up to $35-billion, and will help build 63,000 homes along the route, create 51,000 new jobs over 10 years, and save 25 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. But critics expect the project to run over budget.
Reloading Canada’s procurement weapon to accelerate innovation, diversification, and resilience
To survive U.S. trade volatility and escape its low-productivity trap, Ottawa must stop forcing agile Canadian innovators into the rigid moulds of incumbents.
Feds removed 643 more companies from its Indigenous business directory this year
The database that allows firms to access set-aside federal procurement opportunities ‘cannot be trusted … until it is fully certified by an Indigenous group,’ says Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association.
B.C. offers a warning to Ottawa’s billion-dollar construction fund
Letting small and independent firms bid on public infrastructure projects free from union-only restrictions levels the playing field, and lets them grow.
MPs order release of records from new Defence Investment Agency after it leaves the PBO waiting
The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee took the step to compel the release of information after hearing from the parliamentary budget officer that multiple government departments have yet to comply with his post-budget requests to analyze financial plans.
‘The only thing we want to see is transparency’: MPs call to view results of feds’ internal review of high-value contracts
Public Services and Procurement Canada says the 45-day review into finding savings through federal contracting ‘was completed on schedule’ and that results will be ‘communicated in due course.’
F-35 fighter purchase takes flak
The Air Force brass can’t control public perception and the longer this Gripen versus F-35 debate continues, the more people become aware of the pros and cons of both aircraft types.
Feds risk derailing major projects unless they chart a clearer course for defence procurement, experts say
‘I simply hope that we find a way to reconcile the government’s intention and the military’s interpretation of its mission, so that we don’t allow that to derail these massive defence investments that we’re seeing,’ says Carleton University professor Philippe Lagassé.
Deloitte’s certification as partner to Indigenous firms raises questions about access to feds’ contract regime, says Indigenous business owner
‘Billions of dollars are at stake, and corporations understand that Indigenous participation is now a central factor in how those dollars will move,’ says Indigenous business owner Steven Vanloffeld.
