Evidence of meeting #12 for Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was board.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
We have to move on.
We're going into the second round, which is five minutes.
Ms. Jennings.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Thank you.
I have several questions. I appreciate your presentation.
My first question is, have you prepared any written document or notes for your presentation today? If you have, have you provided a copy of same to any member of this committee, to a staff of any member of this committee, to a staff of any minister or the President of the Treasury Board, or to a member of the public service who works for Treasury Board or another federal department? That's my first question.
My second question is this. I missed your presentation of Mr. Ian Boyko. Could you repeat what position Mr. Boyko holds in the Canadian Federation of Students?
My third question deals with the issue of.... I think the point you raised about having an avenue for graduate students—or any student who is working on a particular research project and is receiving federal funding, whether it's directly to that student as a grant or through a university because some professor has applied for moneys for research, etc.—to whistle-blow if they see something wrong is excellent.
My question is this. You were asked previously whether you currently have the possibility to file a complaint with the Public Service Staff Relations Board. Obviously you do not. However, Bill C-2 would create a tribunal that would have the authority to deal with whistle-blowers who work in the federal public service and also who work with a variety of crown corporations federally, and it would also be able to deal with complaints coming from contractors, in the private sector, for instance, or in the not-for-profit sector, who contract with the federal government through either requests for proposals or tenders.
We have had submissions from organizations saying they would like the authorities Bill C-2 would give to a new tribunal to be given to the existing board. The existing board's mandate, authorities, and powers would expand to deal with complaints from the private sector, because they say the call for tenders was biased or whatever, or from the non-profit sector, or from a member of the public service.
Given that you're requesting that you have an avenue, if this committee in its wisdom decided you should have an avenue and we carved out the authority with, for instance, the existing Public Service Staff Relations Board—whose name might undergo a change, because it would be expanded—would you feel that, whether it's with that board or another board, the issue is the authority to receive the complaint, to adequately investigate, conduct a hearing, and to actually make orders that would be executory? That's what you're asking for. Is that correct?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Ms. Jennings, you have five minutes, and you've given the witness about a minute and a half to answer the question.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
She has done so well, I know she will be able to answer all the questions.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Just keep in mind when you're asking questions that it's your dime, and you can do as you wish with it, but she has a minute and a half to answer.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
And you know, Chair, if she doesn't have sufficient time, she can complete her answer in writing and send it to the members of the committee through the chair.
National Deputy Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
Okay.
Concerning your first question, we have produced a document, and we apologize that we haven't had an opportunity to have it available in French as well at this point.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
It has been distributed to at least one member, and--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Stop the clock.
You know the rules of this place. She can give it to whomever she wishes. If she wishes to give it to all the members of the--
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
I didn't say she couldn't. I'm asking a question.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Ms. Jennings, as you know, a witness can give a document to anybody she wishes to. If she wishes to give it to the entire committee, she files it with the clerk. You know that answer--
Liberal
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
I'm not picking on her. I asked the question, and she is free to answer the question.
Liberal
National Deputy Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
I'm going to introduce Ian Boyko, my government relations officer.
Government Relations Coordinator, Canadian Federation of Students, Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
A document was circulated to a former colleague of mine, who I think works for Mr. Poilievre, so it was given directly to him and I guess passed along to Mr. Poilievre. It's not translated, which is why the entire committee didn't get it. So if that's a breach of protocol or not, the document will be available shortly.
National Deputy Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
I think there was a third part to the question, regarding the authority of the tribunal or the board in the launching of complaints.
We would like to see the complaint launched in the most appropriate format. I think our ideal situation would be where there was some research and review done with some of the others--perhaps Australia, the tribunal in the United Kingdom, and the tribunal in the United States--which would hopefully inform the best avenue.