(OTTAWA) Internal audits of contracts concluded by Ottawa with the firm McKinsey show so far that federal departments have not systematically followed certain administrative rules and procedures, the Treasury Board admitted on Friday.
In a press release, the Treasury Board Secretariat indicates that the “preliminary observations” on the results of the audits carried out in the departments reveal “no evidence of political interference”. These audits would rather reveal “general compliance with values and ethics commitments” within the government, it is said.
On the other hand, there are “indications that certain administrative procedures and requirements have not been followed consistently” by departments.
The Treasury Board says these are “preliminary observations” on the results of internal audits, which were conducted as part of its review of federal contracts awarded to the consulting firm McKinsey.
Consulting firm McKinsey has come to prominence following reports of the rapid growth in the value of contracts awarded to it by government departments since the Liberal government came to power more than seven years. The government said the firm McKinsey had received at least 116.8 million federal contracts since the Liberals came to power in 2015.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tasked Treasury Board President Mona Fortier and Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek with reviewing all of these contracts. Their final report is expected by June 30.
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates also examines federal contracts awarded to McKinsey, as does the Office of the Auditor General and the Office of the Procurement Ombudsman.
The Treasury Board Secretariat said Friday that “these are preliminary observations, and a more detailed review will be conducted to fully assess whether any changes or improvements should be made to federal procurement policies or practices. “. It goes on to say that the departments “have developed management action plans to address their respective audit recommendations”.
Bloc Québécois national revenue critic Jean-Denis Garon said Friday that “this new information on McKinsey comes in addition to the ongoing Auditor General’s investigation and multiple past revelations that raise concerns. important questions about the heavy tendency of the federal government to subcontract the management of the State to private firms”.
“The government must be accountable to the population for its flawed management methods, rather than sweeping the dust under the rug, on the sly, in the middle of a presidential visit,” said the Bloc member for Mirabel in a press release. Light must be shed on the process of awarding contracts to McKinsey. Sooner or later, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals will have to take responsibility for this. »