Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question and the opportunity to rise tonight to address it.

Whether it is creating more affordable housing or boosting our defence efforts, this new government is committed to building Canada strong and delivering for Canadians. With the appointment of a new Minister of Government Transformation, we are focused on transforming the way we do business. That means improving productivity, but it also means focusing on meeting service delivery standards. That is going to require us to look at new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and change the way we manage many of our processes.

On housing, we have a plan to deliver affordable homes by creating “build Canada homes”, a mission-driven organization that will act to accelerate the development of new affordable housing.

On defence procurement, this government created a dedicated cabinet post of Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, and we have already committed to establishing a defence procurement agency focused on reforming and speeding up our military purchases.

As for the issues surrounding GC Strategies, we share the frustrations of others in this House. That is why we have taken action. Public Services and Procurement Canada has taken several steps over the last 18 months to implement changes based on recommendations that were made in the reports to Parliament. They include improving evaluation requirements, increasing transparency from suppliers around pricing and use of subcontractors, improving contract documentation and ensuring the clarification of work requirements and activities. We also introduced an updated ineligibility and suspension policy, and set up a new office of supplier integrity and compliance, empowering the government to better respond to misconduct and wrongdoing in a way that is impartial and free of political interference.

In addition, PSPC has terminated all contracts with GC Strategies and removed it from all supply arrangements. Earlier this month, the government found that the company's actions met the threshold for ineligibility, pursuant to the government's ineligibility and suspension policy, which will now prohibit the company from participating in federal contracts.

When it comes to cases of recovering funds for work not done or overbilling, we pursue them to ensure that Canadians get their money back. That is why we have taken legal action against GC Strategies, right now.

We remain committed to ensuring the best value for Canadian taxpayers with all federal procurements and projects.

Jenna Sudds

$313,856.00