Government Operations Committee on March 20th, 2024

[Anita Anand]

That's an extremely important question today, the International Day of La Francophonie. I wish you a happy International Day of La Francophonie.

Departments must ensure that they comply with the Official Languages Act. It's an obligation, and I take it very seriously. I'd like to continue to work on part VII of the act. I could add more if you wish.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you.

A few weeks ago, an individual was hired by the Canadian Coast Guard to handle Quebec-related files. However, that individual speaks only English. It's clear that it's becoming increasingly difficult for Canadian Coast Guard employees and captains working along the St. Lawrence River to work in French. They get their orders in English. However, we're talking about the St. Lawrence River, and the safety of river users and the general public.

Going forward, could you please ensure that, whatever the department, senior officials will be bilingual and bilingualism will not apply solely to francophones?

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I apologize. In order to get you out at a decent time, Minister, we have to follow our timelines. We are past the time. Perhaps you can respond in writing to Mrs. Vignola.

Mr. Desjarlais, you have two minutes. Go ahead, please.

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I'll now turn to a troubling concern about reports of significant cuts to Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations in the amount of approximately $417 million.

The Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said just recently, “It is [simply] unacceptable and irresponsible for the Ministers to cut funding when First Nations are already in a constant state of emergency.” It's clear that some of this, of course, stems from lawsuits the government has lost. It's troubling in some ways, considering that this is a matter of both legality and morality, things you just cited, Madam Minister, as being important aspects of how we govern our country. It's important that first nations, Métis and Inuit also receive the same level of respect and dignity that the services they rely on also enjoy.

Can you please tell us in this committee where the $417 million will be cut?

[Anita Anand]

I want to confirm that, as described in their departmental plans, both Indigenous Services Canada and CIRNAC will have reallocations from internal services and operational efficiencies, travel efficiencies and streamlining professional services towards resolving claims and agreements, but not in terms of the services that you described in your question.

Furthermore, we took a special view of both ISC and CIRNAC during that process to allow both ministries time to engage in consultation, as required under truth and reconciliation. We take that very seriously, so there was a carve-out for both of those ministries in order for them to—

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

I'm sorry, Minister. I have one more question.

In relation to Jordan's principle, which is the largest concern that many have, including the Indian residential school survivors fund, these two funds in particular have been quoted as seeing a reduction in spending. This is a concern—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mr. Desjarlais, could you get to your question, please?

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

—first nations, Métis and Inuit have across the country.

Could you please provide in writing to this committee detailed information as to the cuts to programs, services and grants?

[Anita Anand]

We'll get that in writing.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thanks very much.

We have Mr. Genuis, please, for four minutes.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you, Chair. We'll be doing a bit of splitting over here.

Minister, you were the Public Services and Procurement minister when this whole ArriveCAN scam journey started. Can you help us with this key question: Who made the decision to choose GC Strategies?

[Anita Anand]

That decision did not occur at Treasury Board. From reading the Auditor General's report, I understand that it came at CBSA.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister, you were the minister of PSPC at the time. Did you have any eyes on who made that decision?

The problem we have with this issue is that there's this grave corruption scandal, yet everybody's saying that somebody else is responsible, and nobody's taking responsibility. Can you help us shed any light on that?

[Anita Anand]

I can answer the question truthfully. I did not have eyes on any of the matters relating to the application or that supplier.

My mandate during the pandemic was procuring vaccines. We were the most vaccinated country in the world by July 2021—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thanks, Minister. That's not the question—

[Anita Anand]

—and I worked very hard on that file.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

—but thank you for your response.

As we try to get to the bottom of what happened, Minister, do you think there is a role or should be a role or has been a role of ministerial decision-making in setting any guidelines that would prevent what happened with the ArriveCAN scandal?

We continuously hear that ministers have nothing to do with these decisions. That's the line we hear from you and from other ministers. It leaves me wondering what ministers are doing here, other than receiving briefings about process.

[Anita Anand]

The role of Treasury Board is to ensure that we have guidelines in place and rules in place, like the directive on conflict of interest and like the announcement I made today to increase oversight by the professional services.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

The rules weren't followed, and then your department did nothing.

I'm going to now hand the time over to Mr. Brock.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

I have one question, Minister.

Two middleman companies, GC Strategies and Dalian combined, received $27 million in taxpayer dollars on the ArriveCAN scam app. The combined ownership of both companies is four people in two companies.

Do you agree with the majority of Canadians that there is a serious problem in this country with government contracting?

[Anita Anand]

I agree with the Auditor General's report that stated that there was a serious problem with the contracting undertaken by CBSA for this application, and we are prepared to follow the recommendations of the RCMP when they are forthcoming. In advance of that, I have made an announcement to make sure that we are increasing oversight under our guide for managers and professional services.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

I'll cede my time to my colleague, Ms. Kusie.

[Anita Anand]

Thank you.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

As Receiver General for Canada, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement is responsible for overseeing all the funds coming in and going out of government accounts. What is at the bottom of every single cheque that comes out from the Government of Canada? It's the signature of the Receiver General for Canada, the Minister for Procurement.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thank you.

Mr. Sousa, you have about 13 seconds before we have to dismiss the minister. You have four minutes, sir.