Advocacy ALERT

CCA says more consultation is needed before government makes changes to its Contract Security Program screening process

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is asking Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to put the brakes on changes to its Contract Security Program – modifications that were introduced in a hurried fashion and without sufficient consultation.

PSPC announced changes to the program on June 30 with a coming into effect date of September 1, that, if implemented, would undermine fairness in procurement for contractors across Canada.

The new rules would make it increasingly difficult for smaller contractors to participate on government projects, reducing fair competition in procurement. Not only will these changes create additional costs and project delays for smaller businesses; they will also hamper the industry’s efforts to build a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Joined by the National Trade Contractors Council of Canada (NTCCC) and the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Canada (ACEC), CCA shared the industry’s concerns with the Honourable Anita Anand, PSPC Minister, which resulted in a meeting with the Parliamentary Secretary and later a roundtable discussion between CCA, industry experts, and senior officials.

While CCA is encouraged by the recent open dialogue with the government on this issue, more work is needed to ensure future changes to the security program screening process address the underlying causes and do not shift the burden to the contractor.

Please Contact our Public Affairs team at [email protected] for information on this developing file.