Government Operations Committee on Feb. 8th, 2012

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

We're well over time. Thank you very much.

This time only we're going back to the NDP.

Mathieu Ravignat, go ahead for five minutes, please.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Robinson, thank you for joining us.

I will first ask a question in English.

As you know, last spring your predecessor, Madam Barrados, recommended the implementation of a code of conduct for ministerial staff. It's something that we on the NDP side find particularly important. We remember cases like that of Sébastien Togneri, who interfered with the good work of access to information staff. Of course, we can't forget the case of Bruce Carson. If anybody needed a rule book, it certainly would be him.

Here's my question. What plans do you have to ensure that your staff will move forward with this worthwhile project, that is, a code of conduct for ministerial staff?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

Thank you for the question.

I'm not sure that the code of conduct for ministerial staff is something that is within the jurisdiction of the commission to do, because the commission's role relates to staffing and political impartiality within the federal public service. We do have a role, though, if political staff, after a certain period of time, want to re-enter the public service. I don't know the process exactly, because I'm new at the commission, and I don't know all the technical details, but there is a process that the commission follows up on. In such a case, after a period of time people can make an application to be eligible to apply for jobs in the public service, and we assist them with that, and then we look at those situations.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Okay.

Here is my second question. As you probably know better than I do, the Public Service Commission is responsible for managing a priority program for displaced employees in the federal public service. As you also know, the government has entered a period of budgetary cuts. The staffing system will be affected by the resulting pressure.

My question is precisely about the staffing system. We continue to see a growing interest in public service jobs, but there will be a reduced number of jobs. In that environment, what will you do in terms of the priority program for displaced employees?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

Thank you for the question.

I am very aware of the fact that the implementation of the deficit reduction plan will be hard on employees. That is why it is important for us to improve our priority system. I must make sure it is working properly.

We can also support redundant employees by providing them with better access to positions they are qualified for. However, that will depend on the number of positions available. The Public Service Commission must ensure that its support for employees looking for a job is appropriate.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Good luck. There will be a lot of competition there.

My last question is about the cuts. As you know, the Public Service Commission has made some cuts to second language training. That has the majority of the country's francophones concerned. The government is increasing its reliance on external consultants and subcontractors to provide that service.

What is your view on second language training at the Public Service Commission?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

We are in charge of second language tests. During the transition period, the commission will continue monitoring the success rate for each test. The idea behind that is to check whether there is a difference between the success rate of those who attended courses with private sector instructors and of students who had public service language instructors.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Do you think that the public system conducts non-subjective assessments of public servants' language proficiency and that using external resources—private ones—is not any better for assessing the same skill?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

The commission will always be in charge of writing the tests used to assess second language skills.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Who will conduct the assessment, the commission or the subcontractor?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

Could you repeat your question, please?

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Who is going to assess the skills, the commission or the subcontractors?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

The commission prepares the tests, and it will continue administering them to all public servants. We can also track the success rate.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Okay, thank you.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Thank you, Mathieu. That's the end of your time.

Next is Mr. Jacques Gourde for the Conservatives.

You have five minutes, Jacques.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for being here today.

By the way, I would like to congratulate you on your level of bilingualism. It seems to be perfect. This is going to be great.

Our government has also made other appointments. We appointed a former NDP premier of Manitoba as Canada's ambassador to the United States. We have even appointed a former liberal minister as a minister in our government. Our philosophy is that the best available Canadians should occupy the best available positions in the public service.

Do you feel it is important that the best available Canadians occupy the best available positions within the public service, regardless of their political affiliation? When the best Canadians are available, can we hire them, regardless of their political affiliation?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

Under the Public Service Employment Act, it is very important for all appointments to be based on the merit principle. I think that even in the case of staffing processes not regulated by this act, there is an obligation to have a very strong selection process, a clear statement of qualifications, fair and transparent procedures and open access. The selection committee must also be diverse and qualified.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Thank you for your answer. As you know, many public servants are currently retiring simply because they have reached their retirement age.

Do you think that an attrition formula could be useful, given that some positions could be abolished in the public service?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

The public service will need to be reduced and many public servants are close to retirement. That will perhaps make it possible to keep some of the employees affected by the reduction of the public service. It may help create some space to keep younger public servants or those who would like to remain in the public service longer.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

As we just said, people will leave, but they must also be replaced by a new generation of public servants. Will you place special emphasis on young people who may enter the public service?

How will you encourage young Canadians to join the public service, be it at universities or elsewhere?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

You just asked a question I feel is extremely important. Even though we will go through a period of transition and cuts, it is still very important for the public service to continue recruiting.

Even during this time of fiscal restraint, some occupations are experiencing shortages. There is still a shortage of nurses, financial officers, and so on. Therefore, we will continue to hire young people. We will also continue to conduct recruitment campaigns in universities and colleges.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

You were appointed to the commission about a month ago. What will your priorities be over the next 100 days? In what direction will you take the commission?

[Anne-Marie Robinson]

My ultimate priority is supporting departments and employees during the implementation of the deficit reduction plan. In order to provide that support, I will work closely with our human resources partners. I will also ensure that any strategic advice provided is clear.

As I already mentioned, the priority administration system is working well. I will also use centralized technologies and data in order to establish an increasingly efficient staffing system.

In addition, I would like to do some work with regard to the administrative burden. I think we should also review some of the staffing processes, so that the systems can operate more efficiently.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

You have 15 seconds, Jacques.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

How will you promote the two official languages?