Federal government faces new challenge over $67 million contract to Irving firm
The Liberal government is facing a new challenge over a decision to
award an Irving company the contract to provide emergency ship towing
services on the West Coast as part of its plan to protect the country’s
oceans.
award an Irving company the contract to provide emergency ship towing
services on the West Coast as part of its plan to protect the country’s
oceans.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has started a
second inquiry into the government’s procurement process that awarded
the $67-million contract to the Irving company Atlantic Towing. A rival
bidder has questioned the ability of those ships to do the job.
But
Public Services and Procurement Canada says it remains confident its
process was rigourous and fair. “The contract with Atlantic Towing
Limited remains in place,” confirmed Marc-André Charbonneau, a
department spokesman.