One of the main missions Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has is to support federal departments and agencies in their daily operations as their central purchasing agent.
“When I think of PSPC, the first thing that comes to mind is its essential role in supporting the Government of Canada. The department ensures that essential goods and services are acquired efficiently, helping the government maintain its operations and meet the needs of Canadians,” shares Luna Neman, Supply Officer for the Future Aircrew Training Program, who joined PSPC in June 2022.
It also resonates for Robbie Harracksingh, Supply Team Leader for the Joint Support Ship project under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), who has been with PSPC for 15 years. “The first thing that comes to mind is providing a service. Most departments and agencies come through PSPC to get procurement support and put contracts in place.”
“I didn’t wake up one morning and say I want to become a procurement specialist,” says Harracksingh with a smile. In fact, he started as a computer technician in the private sector. One thing led to another, and he ended up managing the contract for the implementation of dark fiber connections for federal buildings in the National Capital Region. “A dark fiber network is a collection of unused fiber-optic cables that can be leased to businesses and other organizations to use for their own networks,” explains Harracksingh.
Problem-solving skills are essential when navigating the procurement world. “Contract management comes with deliverables, and the need to resolve issues as they come up is a necessary part of the work,” he remembers.
Collaboration, teamwork and inclusivity
For Neman, PSPC has provided her with invaluable opportunities to grow, learn and contribute to important projects over the years. The department has been the cornerstone of her professional journey. “It’s where I started my career after graduating. My days are dynamic, involving a mix of strategic planning, collaboration and responsive communication, each of which plays a critical role in the success of the Future Aircrew Training Program.”
Neman believes that the culture at PSPC is highly collaborative, and she feels fortunate to be part of a team that values inclusivity, development and empowerment. “My colleagues have been instrumental in helping me navigate challenges and expand my knowledge. There’s a strong sense of teamwork, where everyone is willing to share insights and support one another.”
Building trust
Harracksingh experiences a different kind of collaboration: he works directly in the client’s environment. “The PSPC team is embedded with the client, the Royal Canadian Navy, so we all work on the project with the Large Ship Construction Sector.” The Joint Support Ship project is for the construction of supply ships that will provide the Royal Canadian Navy with the capability to refuel, resupply food and parts at sea, as well as provide medical and dental support to deployed sailors of the Navy, along with its allies, under the NSS.
“PSPC takes the time to understand the client’s needs, something that’s especially important given the magnitude of this project. It takes trust on both sides,” Harracksingh mentions while he talks about the first ship that was launched under the project in December 2024, in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
He believes his job and his team’s efforts are making a difference in the lives of Canadians. “I’m fortunate that I have been able to work on many important projects. That’s one of the things that keeps me involved with PSPC.”