QUESTION PERIOD — Public Services and Procurement
Untendered Government Contracts
October 28, 2020
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Mr. Leader, there’s a saying that’s becoming increasingly popular in Quebec: “Un chum, c’est un chum”, or a friend is a friend. It has emerged from the scandal you’ve surely heard about.
This saying came to mind when I heard that the Trudeau government had rushed to sign a nearly quarter billion dollar contract in April to buy ventilators manufactured by a company owned by a former MP and long-time Liberal organizer.
Baylis Medical, run by Frank Baylis, who was a Liberal MP from western Montreal until September 2019, was subcontracted to manufacture 10,000 ventilators to treat COVID-19 patients. Just 2,174 of the 10,000 had been delivered as of October 14.
The timeline of events is troubling. Baylis Medical says it was approached to manufacture ventilators on March 26. On March 31, FTI Professional Grade was created by Rick Jamieson. The same day, the government announced the end of the tendering period. On April 11, Ottawa signed a $237-million contract with FTI Professional Grade, and on April 16, FTI Professional Grade subcontracted Baylis Medical.
Leader, can you tell us how many times in the history of Canada the government has given a $237-million contract to a company that has only been in business for 10 days?
Thank you for your question, which was raised several times in the other place. The important thing here is that the Government of Canada did not sign any contract with Mr. Baylis’s company.
I don’t think you understood my question. The contract was signed with FTI Professional Grade. I didn’t say anything about a contract with Baylis. I am talking about the contract with FTI Professional Grade. This company had only been in business for 10 days when your government gave it a $237-million contract.
I will repeat my question. Is it a common occurrence for the Trudeau government to sign a $237-million contract with companies that have only been in business for 10 days?
Thank you for clarifying your question. However, the important thing to remember is that, in light of the current crisis, the government needs to meet the needs of Canadians, which include vaccines and equipment. The government acted responsibly to ensure that it has access to what Canadians need.
