Message from Minister Fortier
June 1, 2006
Dear Sir/Madam:
The Federal Accountability Act, tabled in April 2006, clearly expresses the new Government of Canada's commitment to reviewing procurement processes to ensure they are free from political interference and conducted in a way that will make them more accessible to more businesses.
Since contracts with the Government of Canada represent an important source of revenue for many small and medium enterprises (SMEs), my Department has established six new regional offices to reduce significantly the barriers faced by SMEs.
In addition to opening these regional offices and making the procurement process more accessible and transparent, we also plan to:
- adopt a statement of procurement principles that promote fairness, openness and transparency in the contract award process;
- consult suppliers on an ongoing basis;
- provide for the accreditation and training of procurement officers;
- create the position of a Procurement Auditor who will ensure the integrity and transparency of the contract award process;
- implement a Code of Conduct for Procurement that applies to the Government of Canada and suppliers alike.
You may obtain additional information, including a comprehensive "frequently asked questions" package on the OSME web site by visiting http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/sme.
Our government is committed to providing programs that meet the needs of Canadians. By expanding the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises to the regions, Public Works and Government Services Canada is working to bring down barriers to competition and is making it easier for small and medium enterprises to compete for government contracts.
Sincerely,
Michael M Fortier
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