Potential savings of over $1billion in public sector spending

Submitted by Jim Ilkay on Thu, 2009-10-29 22:15

Our conference Chairman, Stephen Bauld, is convinced the public sector can save more than $1 billion a year in Ontario through more efficient construction contract procurement practices. For more information, read this article that ran in today's Daily Commercial News: http://www.dcnonl.com/nw/14975

Comments

#1 re: Potential savings

Submitted by Jay Craddock on Tue, 2010-05-11 13:46.

I have just been part of the procurement process for a wastewater treatment plant in a municipality right here in Ontario. Even though my pricing was approximately 37% more cost effective then the competition, and most of those monies would go into the pockets of Canadian workers and suppliers I was rejected, without review, so the engineer / municipality could go with a similar manufacturer out of the US.

I just do not understand the thinking in this. Granted we should not get into a blind "buy Canadian" philosophy that we have seen go badly to the south of us but we should not be sending public money outside the country until we have exhasted searches for acceptable equipment or services within the country.

A simple process such as 'shop local' would offer savings with equipment procurement as well as after sales service and support down the road. How is this common sense approach not common?

#2 re: Potential savings of over $1billion in public sector spendin

Submitted by Ignacio S on Sat, 2010-02-13 02:18.

In this economy we have, it is very important that we save some money or we could try comparison shop for every product or service you intend to use, and that includes finding the best banks. A bunch of big banks are offering incentives to join them and become the biggest post recession bank – Bank of America, BB&T, and numerous others are offering cash incentives for anyone creating a checking account with their bank, plus some requirements of course. (Granted, their overdraft policies will send anyone going even a penny over running for payday loans.) A person might be better off actually going to a credit union, as they have better interest rates on accounts, and on loans – and far more emphasis on customer service than shareholder enrichment.