Introduction

The following chart presents two different approaches various Alberta government ministries and departments follow when deciding what organizations they will work with.

Organizations come in all sizes and shapes. Some organizations provide products while other provide services. Organizations may provide product such as constructing bridges, roads, buildings; or may provide equipment, furniture, and office supplies. Other organizations provide services to seniors, the disabled, children, families, patients, students, the unemployed, and to the community. Organizations also have different names such as consultant, agency, doctor, engineer, lawyer, social worker, service provider, and private school/college.

Observation

• Some ministries as well as their departments have determined that whether an organization is for-profit or not-for-profit is simply not a relevant question when selecting an organization to do business with. Their primary goal is to contract with the organization they feel will get the best results at the best price. However some department personnel, within some ministries, do have issues and tend to disqualify for-profit organizations.
• Some ministries as well as their departments have decided that if an organization is for-profit then they will NOT do business with that organization, even if the organization provides better quality services at equal or less costs than not-for-profit organizations.

Conclusion

The result is that some ministries and/or departments/department personnel follow a biased approach in their decision making process and may be discriminating against for-profit organizations.

Recommendation

That the Government of Alberta establish a clear and consistent government policy stating that “the decision to select an organization shall be based on the organization’s ability to deliver quality products/services and achieve results in a cost effective manner. Whether an organization is for-profit or not-for-profit will not be asked, determined, or identified”.