The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:

Speaker, I rise today to highlight two procurement strategies we recently announced. These policies are aimed at maximizing the success of provincial suppliers in obtaining government contracts, enhancing local employment, and increasing sustainable practices in purchasing.

The Newfoundland and Labrador First Procurement Strategy will help create an environment that provides the best opportunity for provincial suppliers to be successful in obtaining contracts. It will do so through maintaining the provincial preference discount; increasing open call thresholds; promoting the use of exemptions under trade agreements; and reducing the use of bid securities for goods and services. It also focuses on new suppliers by helping them strengthen their ability to participate in government procurement processes by providing them with the knowledge and training they need.

The Sustainable Procurement Strategy is focused on embedding sustainability considerations into processes for procuring goods, services and construction alongside traditional criteria. Those traditional criteria include price, quality, service and technical considerations. Applying a sustainable approach to procurement, such as promoting use of apprenticeships, will ensure that the existing purchasing power of government departments and agencies will be utilized to help achieve broader social, environmental and economic goals.

Our government remains focused on modernizing purchasing processes, utilizing best practices, achieving best value for dollars spent, and doing all of this in a sustainable fashion. These policies go far in helping us achieve these objectives.

Thank you, Speaker.