Tribunal inquiry into editing procurement; PSC leave

Summary#

The Canada Gazette lists two commission notices. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided on April 4, 2023 to open an inquiry into a complaint by Services professionnels d’écriture et de communication enr. (SPEC enr.) about a Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development procurement (Solicitation 23‑222499) for on‑call editing services. The Public Service Commission of Canada granted permission and a leave of absence to Richard Pellissier‑Lush of Parks Canada so he could run in the O’Leary‑Inverness, Prince Edward Island provincial election held on April 3, 2023.

What it does#

• Canadian International Trade Tribunal: Opens an inquiry after a complaint from SPEC enr.. The firm says it was treated differently from other bidders in the procurement for on‑call editing services (Solicitation 23‑222499).
• Public Service Commission of Canada: Grants permission and a leave without pay to Richard Pellissier‑Lush so he could seek nomination and be a candidate in the provincial election for O’Leary‑Inverness (election held April 3, 2023).

Who's affected#

• Services professionnels d’écriture et de communication enr. (SPEC enr.), the complainant and a potential supplier.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), which ran the procurement (Solicitation 23‑222499) and may have its process reviewed.
• Other companies or freelancers who bid, or who would bid, for federal communications and editing contracts.
• Richard Pellissier‑Lush, a Parks Canada employee approved to run in the O’Leary‑Inverness provincial election, and Parks Canada as his employer (because of the leave).
• Voters in O’Leary‑Inverness may notice a staff change if it affects local services or campaigning.

Why it matters#

• The tribunal inquiry could affect who wins the on‑call editing contract and could lead to changes in how that procurement was run. That matters to suppliers who compete for government communications work.
• The Public Service Commission’s permission and leave show how federal rules allow public servants to run in provincial elections while on unpaid leave. That affects transparency about public servants’ political activity and staffing for the employer.