Additional Information

Additional Information regarding our Contract Disclosure

Under the Auditor General Act, the Office has the authority to contract for professional services, and we follow our own Policy on Contracting and Procurement. Its objective is consistent with the objective of the Treasury Board Contracting Policy. The Office’s Policy on Contracting and Procurement is also consistent with the Government Contracts Regulations. Amendments to the regulations have been proposed by the government.  If those amendments are implemented, the Officewill consider amendments to its Policy on Contracting and Procurement to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the regulations.

When procuring goods and other services, the Office follows the Treasury Board Contracting Policy, which can be found at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/dcgpubs/Contracting/contractingpol_e.asp

The Office enters into contracts to procure professional services, other kinds of services, and goods to support the work of the Office. The majority of the Office's professional-service contracts directly support our audits, to ensure that the Office uses appropriate expertise for our audit work. This expertise contributes significantly to the quality of our audits. Contracts are also awarded to support our professional practice and corporate services. Due to the confidential nature of our audit work, the Office does not provide descriptions of contracts related to audit work. The Office does, however, provide more detail regarding its contracts that are not related to audit work.

Prior to 1 January 2008, the Office published original contract values, unless otherwise indicated. Effective 1 January 2008, the Office began to publish the total value of contracts (original value of contracts issued after 1 January 2008 plus any amended contract value). The Office does not publish information pertaining to contracts for legal services when disclosure would compromise legal privileges.  As well, the Office withholds information regarding memoranda of understanding with other levels of government and foreign governments; service-level agreements between federal government institutions; and information about contracts whose proactive disclosure would compromise criminal investigations, national security or public safety.

Effective 1 April 2009, contract values disclosed on this Web site include all fees, expenses and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).  Before April 1, 2009, contract values disclosed on this Web site did not include the Goods and Services Tax (GST).