As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada avoid the use of pro bono services from private consulting firms when developing or engaging in strategic policy initiatives and ensure any ethical and conflict of interest requirements are in place.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada increase its due diligence in relation to the use of private consulting firms by government departments, agencies and Crown corporations to ensure these firms are not unfairly benefiting from government operational knowledge to gain financial benefit through successive contracts with the government or with other clients who might do business with the government.

Recommendation 3

That the Auditor General of Canada review the procurement processes in place at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and conduct a performance and value for money audit of contracts awarded to all external firms, including a review of the CIB’s expenditures on advisory services.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada direct the Canada Infrastructure Bank to increase financial transparency by including in its quarterly and annual reports a detailed breakdown of expenditures on consultants and advisory services, including vendor name, amount paid, and the specific project to which the costs are attributed.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada strongly encourage the Canada Infrastructure Bank to minimize reliance on external consultants by looking for ways to maximize its current human resource capacity and developing needed expertise in house as much as possible.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada evaluate international examples of successful public infrastructure banks, including those in the Netherlands, Germany, Finland and Norway, in the process of reforming the mandate of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada mandate representation on the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s board of directors for municipal, local and Indigenous governments, relevant labour organizations, and infrastructure users.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada make sustainability a requirement for Canada Infrastructure Bank funding and ensure climate mitigation and adaptation are included in all funded projects.