Federal Outsourcing Spending Soars, Sparking Opposition Criticism
Federal spending on outsourcing reached a record high of $17.8 billion last year, a 13.5% increase. This has drawn criticism from opposition parties who argue it contradicts the Liberal government's promises to cut back on outside help.
Spending in this category has more than doubled since the Liberals took office, prompting concerns about oversight and value for taxpayers. The jump covers professional and special services, including contracts for lawyers, architects, and consultants.
Opposition MPs point to the rising cost of outsourcing while the number of public servants also increases. They argue that the government should focus on having more work done internally and promote expertise within the public service.
A 2023 report by the Auditor-General warned of inadequate oversight in federal contracting, while a briefing note revealed concerns about the lack of modern procurement training for IT professionals.
The government maintains that outsourcing is necessary for large-scale projects but is strengthening its oversight of procurement. However, opposition parties remain skeptical and call for a shift towards internal expertise and cost-saving measures.
12 Comments
Marishka
“Outsourcing is a way of complementing our own resources with global best practices and industry knowledge.”
Pupsik
“These spending figures show that political promises are mere lip service. Enough with the endless outsourcing!”
Marishka
“Outsourcing shouldn’t be vilified. It’s part of modern governance – bringing in specialized skills when required can drive progress.”
Pupsik
“Outsourcing can be the best solution for large-scale projects that require specialized skills not available in-house.”
Marishka
“Specialized services like architects, lawyers, and IT experts are crucial for large projects – outsourcing makes that possible.”
Muchacho
“Record-high outsourcing spending? This is nothing short of wasting taxpayer money. Why aren’t we investing in our own talent?”
ZmeeLove
“Doubling the spending since the Liberals took office is unacceptable. We need more transparency and accountability.”
Muchacho
“Federal spending on outsourcing is out of control. With oversight lacking, who’s really accountable for these wasteful contracts?”
ZmeeLove
“In today's fast-evolving tech environment, outsourcing can provide the necessary modern procurement training that’s lacking internally.”
Africa
“Outsourcing helps bring fresh perspectives and modern techniques to government projects, something internal teams might miss.”
Muchacho
“For complex projects, hiring external professionals is the smart move. It saves time and brings innovation.”
Africa
“Not everything can be done by the public service. Strategic outsourcing ensures we work with the very best available.”