Government project sticks with consultants

REGINA — The provincial government is going full steam ahead with its online portal for the oil and gas industry.

To complete the long-term project, called the Integrated Resources Information System (IRIS), the Ministry of Economy is selecting 25 consultants for a “key transition team” as the program is rolled out.

The word “consultant” has been somewhat of a dirty term in the province of late, but the transition team will actually pare down the current cohort of about 40 consultants who form the project’s development team, officials say.

In her December report, provincial auditor Judy Ferguson was critical of the government’s rocketing use of consultants.

She recommended establishing policies around hiring them, and documenting why they are required and the reasons for extending their contracts.

Those policies are yet to be enacted, but when it comes to the latest RFP, Ferguson said the fact the project is almost complete could speak to why the Ministry of Economy wants to “get it done.”

That’s exactly right, said Deputy Minister Laurie Pushor.

“We’re pretty far down the road with this and it’s time to deliver,” he said.

As for the full-time worker versus consultant debate, Pushor said using consultants “is industry norm.”

“It’s generally felt that using consultants in that role means a breadth of experience across many projects — not just your own — so it tends to be a stronger way to support a project in the long term.”

Still, Ferguson said she hopes the ministry “keeps our recommendations in mind as they roll this out.”

At its heart, IRIS is a major computer system modernization program for the oil and gas industry.

Among a host of other capabilities, it will allow gas and oil companies to apply for land sales, register documents and obtain updated lease information. Companies will also be able to submit drilling information, apply for well licences and submit spill and incident data all in the one place.