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NEWS & PRESS: Media Kit - Press Releases JULY 11, 2006 - 15:03 ET Temporary Help Services Industry Asks Minister Fortier for Clarity on Procurement Review Process OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - July 11, 2006) - On July 7, 2006 Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) issued a notice that its June 30-06 standing offer in respect to Temporary Help Services (THS) was "currently under review". In addition, PWGSC issued a press release in which Minister Fortier was quoted as saying he heard the concerns from various industry sectors including the temporary help sector and that he recognizes the importance of consulting further before proceeding with proposed changes. "PWGSC has recognized that the industry has valued concerns" said Meredith Egan, President, National Capital Region Chapter. "We very much appreciate the Minister's comments. We think there is a need for a thorough consultation process. However, this cannot occur before the August 24, 2006 deadline, particularly on the basis of a poorly designed revised standing offer - the June 30, 2006 offer needs to be withdrawn - we're not sure the Minister appreciates this point yet, and so we are writing to him to ask for clarification." ACSESS member Kathryn Tremblay reiterated the point: "the June 30, 2006 standing offer shows a lack of understanding of temporary help services. It needs to be withdrawn, and there needs to be a review of how procurement can be improved - we have suggestions we want to bring to the table to assist the Minister with this effort" "The Minister's press release notes his desire to save $50 million a month in a $1 billion a month procurement bill. He has identified 34 commodities where savings can be achieved. The savings are important to make, but people are not a commodity, and staffing needs must be seen differently from products" added ACSESS member Jeremy Ingle. "The current approach needs to be revisited to identify opportunities where savings exist, and how they can be realized." "The Government of Canada spends approximately $200 million a year on temporary help services. This amounts to less than 2% of total government procurement" said ACSESS member Guy Riopelle. "With less than 2% of your total procurement budget spent on THS through an already very competitive process, a fair question to ask is whether this the right place to target in a procurement review?" ACSESS member Isabelle Copeland added: "The THS industry is a highly competitive marketplace and the standing offer that was in place prior to June 30, 2006 assured that high level of competition. The THS industry in Ottawa-Gatineau remains concerned that the revised standing offer is still on the public record, and is seeking clarity as to the review process for it." CONTACT INFORMATION
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