Public-private partnerships for infrastructure save time, money: Conference Board report

Public-private partnerships (P3s) for infrastructure projects are delivering savings in costs and time compared to conventional procurement approaches used by Canadian governments. But P3s are not appropriate for all public infrastructure projects, according to the conclusions of a Conference Board report that assesses the performance of projects in the so-called “second wave” of P3s, those executed by specialized government procurement agencies.  read more 

Gross domestic product by industry

Real gross domestic product advanced 0.4% in November, a third consecutive monthly increase. Several other sectors also recorded increases, such as finance and insurance, construction and the public sector (education, health and public administration combined).  read more 

PM at NLCA

In a speech Friday to the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association in St. John’s, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said says infrastructure projects that are moving ahead in Newfoundland and Labrador show his government and the province are working together. The speech also highlighted a $30.9 million announcement by Ottawa and the province to improve nine highways and two bridges as an example of that co-operation. read more 

Big hole found in security screening

A blue-ribbon panel has found a gaping hole in the security vetting of companies that do work for the federal government. An estimated 1,800 classified contracts issued each year by some two dozen other departments do not include security vetting of the companies that win the bids. The finding is from the Task Force on the Security Screening of Individuals, a group of senior civil servants struck two years ago to modernize Ottawa’s screening of public servants and contractors.  read more