Government Operations Committee on March 22nd, 2023

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

Thank you.

Minister, could you update us on the progress that's being made on the rehabilitation of Centre Block?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

Thank you, Ms. Thompson.

I had the opportunity just recently to visit that massive rehabilitation project of Centre Block, and I'm happy to say that it is progressing very well.

As I think everyone's aware, it's a very large project. It is on track to be complete in 2030-31. It will take another one year to commission the building, so parliamentarians hopefully will be in place in 2032.

It is literally, as we've all seen, a massive excavation. There's going to be a new approach to the entrance to the House of Commons, from the flame and leading directly under the Peace Tower. There will be connections between Centre Block, West Block and East Block in the future. They're basically down to the load-bearing walls. In other words, all the decommissioned excess materials have been removed.

We feel very positive about the progress that has been made. In fact, we're going to be inviting the media to come and take a look, so they can see the size of the project and just how well the project is going.

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

Thank you.

Could you share with us PSPC's delivery of the capital assets and infrastructure projects, such as the revitalization and modernization of block 2 of the parliamentary precinct? Could you also update us on this project and tell us what efforts are being made to ensure that the spaces are accessible for all?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I think most people are aware that there was a competition for the redevelopment of block 2. As we know, this is on the south side of Wellington—the urban block directly across from Centre Block—and it will really transform what have been some not exactly attractive buildings into an innovative complex. It will, in fact, form a fourth wall of Parliament with the West Block, East Block, Centre Block and then across the street.

There was a competition. It was won by the team of Zeidler and Chipperfield. An independent jury looked at the heritage elements of the buildings and wanted to ensure that the new design could complement what existed there. We're hoping that the indigenous heritage will be incorporated into one of the buildings and work is being done. Of course, for it to be fully accessible is a mandatory requirement in this day and age.

I think we all look forward to seeing that project going ahead.

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

Thank you.

If you don't mind, I'll circle back to the supplier diversity program. Could you provide a little more detail on the work your department is doing to assist indigenous groups to prepare and successfully apply for contracts within government, and what you're doing to reduce the barriers in that process?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

It would have to be in about five seconds, I'm afraid. It may have to wait for another round.

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I wouldn't do it justice in five seconds.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I didn't think so. Thanks.

We have Ms. Vignola for two and a half minutes.

Go ahead, please.

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

Thank you very much.

Ms. Jaczek, the significant contribution that the National Shipbuilding Strategy can have on the Canadian economy was mentioned earlier.

Currently, one shipyard representing 50% of the shipbuilding workforce in Canada is still waiting for its framework agreement to be signed.

This company is not just a business. It also involves more than 1,300 suppliers across Canada, including several hundred in Quebec. That's 1,300 Canadian suppliers who, through the signing of the framework agreement and the contracts that will follow, will also be able to contribute to the economic strength of Quebec and Canada. The framework agreement was to be signed at the end of 2022. We are now at the end of the first quarter of 2023.

Will the framework agreement be signed soon, and when will it be signed?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

Thank you very much, Madam Vignola. I know there's been a great deal of frustration in terms of the length of time that this agreement with Chantier Davie has taken.

However, I would like to assure you that in fact we are very close. You should be hearing very soon. A couple of the conditions that our department required—some additional information from Davie in terms of some of their processes, etc.—have now been forthcoming. I understand that the Government of Quebec has assured the federal government that their contribution is also available.

I would simply like to say that you will be hearing good news very soon.

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

So we can expect that in the next few weeks we will finally have this news that we have been waiting for at least eight years.

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

Believe me, Madam Vignola, you have obviously been a champion for this as have many of our colleagues. There will be good news very soon.

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

Thank you.

I have another very brief question. You can answer it in writing if necessary.

On Monday, the Minister of National Defence and her senior officials told us that they were not aware of any countries or companies that McKinsey had done business with in the past. I know that you have not had any meetings with representatives of that firm, you have already confirmed that to us.

Are you familiar with the countries and companies that McKinsey has done business with in the past?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I am afraid that you will have to get back to the committee or perhaps respond to that in a question from one of our other colleagues, because we're out of time.

We have Mr. Johns for two and a half minutes.

Go ahead, please.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

The U.S. federal government has invested heavily in electrifying the United States Postal Service fleet. I'm sure you are aware that the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has been told that Crown corporations are not eligible for our green infrastructure funding. This is very important to CUPW, as you know. Canada Post could be a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and vehicles and in creating a sustainable postal service.

Of all the money in the supplementary estimates being spent to deal with climate change, is there any investment here to address climate change through Canada Post or other Crown corporations? Is there anything in the supplementary estimates being invested in that direction?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

Mr. Johns, as you know, Canada Post is obviously a Crown agency at arm's length from government. It is supposed to manage its finances internally, but I will turn to our chief financial officer to confirm that there is no particular allocation, as far as I'm aware, within these supplementary estimates.

[Wojo Zielonka]

That is correct, Minister.

On Canada Post, I do believe they recently announced that they will be moving towards greening their fleet.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Considering they're not eligible for this funding and with the tight economic times, obviously you know I'm not happy about the fuel surcharge they're charging, which has gone through the roof. It is critical that they be eligible, especially with the announcement we just heard from the IPCC. It is really important that they be eligible.

Minister, I've talked to you before about this. The expert task force on substance use was very clear. It recommended that a committee should be convened within three months of its report, which was almost two years ago, to lead the design of a national safer supply program to save lives. We're in the middle of a toxic drug crisis. People are dying. I've asked repeatedly.

Has the Minister of Health or the Minister of Mental Health reached out to you to procure a safer supply?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

I personally have not received such a request.

I will again turn to our associate deputy on whether there's been some ongoing discussion at the officials level. I'm not aware of that.

[Arianne Reza]

I am not aware of that either. We'll have to go back and see if there's been—

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

What I kept hearing, Minister, from the previous minister of procurement was that she said she had to wait for provinces to request it. You didn't wait for provinces to request COVID-19 vaccines. The federal government took leadership. This is a federal national emergency. People are dying.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thank you, Mr. Johns.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

The police association made it clear that safer supply is critical. It's an expert-driven recommendation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thank you, Mr. Johns.

Ms. Kusie, you have five minutes, please.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. It's always a pleasure to see you. Thank you very much for being here today.

Of course, Minister, we have the visit of President Biden this week. Your counterpart, Minister Anand, whom we had the pleasure of having here at committee on Monday, made last year a $5-billion commitment to NORAD. Unfortunately, we've seen very little action since this announcement, a theme that I think is all too unfortunate with this government.

Last week we saw the very unfortunate announcement that Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. have moved ahead on their own security agreement and security initiative. I really think this visit from President Biden is a fantastic time for your government to step up and show some initiative, based upon the commitment that Minister Anand made last year of the $5 billion to NORAD.

I'll give you one example. Our CF-18s are currently using air-to-air missiles that are severely outdated. Could you please provide me with a timeline, for example, as to when we could see new air-to-air missiles—something to give the U.S., who has always been our closest ally and partner, a commitment that we are in this relationship as security equals...or not equals, I should say, but are willing to make some type of investment in this relationship?