For immediate release November 1, 2004 OTTAWA - Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board, announced today that information on Government of Canada contracts for goods and services over $10,000 is now available on-line. "The Government of Canada is working hard to enhance the role of Parliament and the proactive disclosure of information so that Canadians are better able to hold Parliament, their Government, and public sector officials to account," said Mr. Alcock. "Today¿s announcement is a step to deliver on our commitment in the Budget to publicly disclose contracts entered into by the Government of Canada over $10,000, with limited exceptions, such as contracts relating to national security or law enforcement." The new requirement consists of the disclosure of procurement contracts for goods and services dating back to April 1, 2004 for federal departments and agencies listed on Schedules I, I.1, and II of the Financial Administration Act. Departments and agencies listed on Schedules I, I.1, and II of the Financial Administration Act will be required to report the data on their Web sites (even where Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) has issued the contract on their behalf), within 30 days of the end of each period and to update it every three months. The contract information reported includes: vendor name, number used in the financial system, contract date, description of work, contract period for services, delivery date of goods, and contract value. This initiative is part of the government's plan, Strengthening Public Sector Management. To achieve these objectives, the government is working hard to: Strengthen comptrollership and improve oversight; Enhance the role of Parliament and the proactive disclosure of information so that Canadians are better able to hold Parliament, their Government, and public sector officials to account; Modernize and transform management practices and the ongoing review of government spending to improve administration and ensure tax dollars are spent wisely; and Build capacity and better tools within the public service to support good management. For more information on the posting of contract information on-line, please see the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Web site at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pd-dp - 30 - For more information, contact: Lise Jolicoeur Press Secretary Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board (613) 957-2666 Robert Makichuk Media Relations Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (613) 957-2391 IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL. TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090
