For immediate release
Strengthening Accountability In Procurement and Real Property
GATINEAU, Quebec, July 11, 2012—Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, announced further action to strengthen accountability and crack down on firms convicted of certain criminal charges that seek to do business with the department.
“Our Government continues to stand up for accountability by ensuring we do business with companies that respect the law and act with integrity,” said Minister Ambrose. “We are taking action to protect taxpayers from fraudulent companies who seek to do business with the Government of Canada.”
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is extending the list of offences that render companies and individuals ineligible to bid on contracts to include the following:
- money laundering;
- participation in activities of criminal organizations;
- income and excise tax evasion;
- bribing a foreign public official; and
- drug trafficking.
The new offences will be added to the existing list for solicitations:
- frauds against the government under the Criminal Code of Canada;
- frauds under the Financial Administration Act;
- corruption, collusion, bid-rigging or any other anti-competitive activity under the Competition Act in the procurement process; and
- payment of a contingency fee to a person to whom the Lobbying Act applies.
In addition, both the new and existing lists of offences will now apply to PWGSC real property transactions, such as leasing agreements, letting of space, and acquisition and disposal of Crown-owned properties.
The new measures are effective immediately and will be applied to all future PWGSC solicitations and real property transactions. These measures will also allow the department to terminate future contracts and leases with companies or individuals that are convicted before the end of their contract or lease.
For further information on the implementation of the new measures for PWGSC contracts, please visit the buyandsell.gc.ca website
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For more information, media may contact:
Michelle Bakos
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
819-997-5421
Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
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