Tribunal inquiry into DFATD procurement; PSC leave granted

Summary#

• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided on April 4, 2023 to hold an inquiry after a complaint by Services professionnels d’écriture et de communication enr. (SPEC enr.) about a procurement by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) for on-call editing services (File PR-2022-079, Solicitation 23-222499).
• The Public Service Commission of Canada granted permission and an unpaid leave to Richard Pellissier-Lush, a Parks Canada employee, to run as a candidate in the provincial election in O’Leary‑Inverness, Prince Edward Island, held on April 3, 2023.

What it does#

• For the procurement complaint:
  • Opens a formal inquiry into SPEC enr.’s allegation that DFATD treated it differently from other potential suppliers during the bidding for on-call editing and communications work.
  • The inquiry follows a decision by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal on April 4, 2023 (complaint File PR-2022-079, Solicitation 23-222499).
• For the public service permission:
  • The Public Service Commission of Canada approved a request under the Public Service Employment Act that allows Richard Pellissier-Lush to seek nomination and be a candidate.
  • The Commission also granted an unpaid leave of absence for the election period (election date April 3, 2023).

Who's affected#

• Companies and individuals involved in the DFATD procurement for editing and communications services, including SPEC enr. and other bidders.
• DFATD procurement staff and anyone responsible for awarding or managing the contract.
• Richard Pellissier-Lush, colleagues at Parks Canada, and voters in O’Leary‑Inverness, Prince Edward Island.
• The notices may also be of interest to people who watch government procurement or rules about public servants running for office.

Why it matters#

• Procurement inquiry: An inquiry can check whether the federal department followed fair treatment rules. That matters to businesses that bid for government contracts and to public confidence in how taxpayer-funded contracts are awarded. The outcome could affect this particular contract or departmental contracting practices, but the Gazette notice does not say what remedies (if any) might follow.
• Public service permission: The decision shows how public servants can take leave to run in elections. That affects staffing at the employee’s workplace and clarifies how the rules are applied in one case.