In 2023, almost all public organizations in Eastern Quebec will source their supplies from companies outside the region, according to Treasury Board data.
According to PQ MP for Matane-Matapédia Pascal Bérubé, suppliers of office equipment or household products, in particular, have been losing their contracts with government institutions since the establishment of the Government Acquisitions Center (CAG) in 2020.
He speaks of a montrealization
purchasing, while the organization created by the Legault government to centralize public sector purchasing turns to large players to the detriment of regional companies.
Very big players manage to have a lot of volume and push everyone aside
denounces the deputy.
Pascal Bérubé sounded the alarm in the National Assembly on Thursday morning and called for a local purchasing policy.
Rate of purchases outside the region by ministries and paragovernmental organizations:
- North Shore: 100 %
- Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine: 99,91 %
- Bas-Saint-Laurent: 99,84 %
Source: Credit Studies 2023-2024 – Government Acquisition Center
Many companies and PME who have been dealing with the State for decades are now excluded and cannot qualify [pour les appels d’offres]. There are many losers in the regions
he laments.
“Leaving with two strikes”
The owner of Librairie Côté-Hamster in Baie-Comeau, for example, feels that several large contracts have escaped entrepreneurs in the region, to the benefit of the American market.
Yves Côté says he does not have sufficient volumes to respond to calls for tenders.
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The owner of Librairie Côté-Hamster has the impression of being at a disadvantage compared to large centers. (Archive photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Camille Lacroix
The general director of the Chamber of Commerce of Sept-Îles Uashat mak Mani-utenam, John Blanchette, observed a multiplication in the number of calls for tenders since the establishment of the CAG.
He sees this as an additional obstacle for north-coastal entrepreneurs.
If we see that nothing is bought on the North Shore, is it really because the North Shore is incapable of producing cheaper, or is it because our companies are not aware of how to respond to calls for tenders effectively?
he asks himself.
According to him, the government has the responsibility to ensure that regional businesses have the tools to respond to business opportunities.
With information from Stéphanie Rousseau
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