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Ottawa gave Accenture too much control over $313-million in CEBA sole-source contracts, auditor finds

The article from The Globe and Mail discusses how Ottawa's decision to grant Accenture, a multinational professional services company, significant control over the administration of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program has led to concerns about oversight and accountability. The CEBA program, designed to provide interest-free loans to small businesses during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, involved a $313 million contract with Accenture. Critics argue that this arrangement has resulted in a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest, as Accenture not only manages the program but also has a say in how it is run, potentially prioritizing its own interests over those of the public. The article highlights issues such as the high fees charged by Accenture, the lack of competitive bidding for the contract, and the government's reliance on private sector firms for public service delivery, which might compromise the program's effectiveness and fairness.

Read the Full The Globe and Mail Article at:
[ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-ottawa-gave-accenture-too-much-control-over-313-million-in-ceba-sole/ ]