There is a lack of transparency and accountability in how federal taxpayer money is being spent on outsourcing, the House of Commons government operations committee heard on Jan. 30 as it began its study into the over $100 million dollars awarded to U.S. consulting firm McKinsey since 2015.
Focusing on the general problem of outsourcing, Amanda Clarke, an associate professor of public policy and administration at Carleton University, said the scrutiny afforded to McKinsey was “a bit of a distraction.”
Clarke said in her opening remarks that the focus should be broader, with her research suggesting the public service “breaches acceptable best practice in responsible public administration” when awarding large contracts to consulting firms….