Senator Martin: According to the documents released through the access to information request, Accenture built the CEBA website, ran the call centre and supported the day-to-day operations, and it is currently building the loans-collection infrastructure. However, over the course of this program, multiple government press releases stated that “CEBA is administered by Export Development Canada.”

Who made the decision to keep these contracts hidden? In addition to that inquiry, can you tell us whether $146 million is the total amount given to Accenture? If not, what is the actual total amount?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Leader, my question is a follow-up to one I asked you in March regarding the secret outsourcing of the Canada Emergency Business Account, or CEBA, loans program to the consulting firm Accenture. When I originally asked you about this matter, it was believed that the Trudeau government paid Accenture $61 million to run the CEBA program. However, since then, further documents revealed to The Globe and Mail through an access to information request show that the amount paid was at least $146 million. The fact that the Trudeau government never disclosed these contracts tells Canadians everything they need to know about this government’s total lack of respect for their tax dollars.

Leader, you previously said that outside sources were used to provide benefits. With respect, that response did not answer my question. Why was the outsourcing of this program hidden from Canadians?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, with leave, I would like to reset the clock.