Boissonnault's former company barred from receiving federal contracts for 90 days

Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault taking questions from reporters in Ottawa on Oct. 9, 2024.  (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press - image credit)
Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault taking questions from reporters in Ottawa on Oct. 9, 2024. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press - image credit)

The federal government has temporarily suspended access to federal procurement contracts for MP Randy Boissonnault's former medical supply company.

The former employment minister co-founded Global Health Imports Corporation (GHI) at the outset of the pandemic. It has been mired by controversy since the National Post reported that the company claimed to be "Indigenous-owned" while bidding for a federal contract in 2020.

Boissonnault has denied having any involvement in the business since he was re-elected in 2021.

Public Services and Procurement Canada said in a news statement on Tuesday that GHI would be suspended for 90 days.

It said the suspension might be extended until a final decision about "the supplier's status under the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy is rendered."

The department says GHI has only one active contract with Elections Canada, which issued a "full stop-work" order to GHI on Nov. 20 — the same day Boissonnault resigned from cabinet.

That contract "did not include an Indigenous set-aside requirement," the department said.

"Elections Canada has confirmed that no deliverables have been received and no payments have been made against the contract," the statement says.