Evidence of meeting #88 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was rate.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Can you talk more about the pension advisory committee? Who does that involve? Who are the stakeholders?
4:50 p.m.
Director, Pensions and Benefits Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
The pension advisory committee is made up of both employer and employee representatives. The employee representatives are nominated through the National Joint Council. There is one pensioners representative, as well.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
What's the reaction from other organizations regarding the proposed changes? Do you have a feel for how things have been perceived or received?
4:50 p.m.
Executive Director, Pension Policy and Program, Treasury Board Secretariat
They were constructive conversations, clearly, on the employee side. This was not something they were happy to embrace, but they were very constructive conversations, and they understand the pension plan.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Has it been stated in terms of the fact that for a lot of public employees, the pension is part of the remuneration package?
Is there any way to maybe keep the same benefits or
to make the prospect of working for the public service appealing? Have you considered some options on that matter?
4:50 p.m.
Executive Director, Pension Policy and Program, Treasury Board Secretariat
These changes were specific to the pension plan. We aren't really well positioned to address compensation strategies on behalf of the government.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Okay. Thank you.
I'd like to thank the three of you for being here and for explaining division 23 and responding to our questions. Thank you so much for that.
We will ask the officials for division 24 to come forward.
Colleagues, unless there are objections, could I ask someone to move the motion? Has everyone received a copy?
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
I move that for the purpose of the clause-by-clause study on Bill C-45, the effect of the motion adopted on October 1, 2012, regarding substantive motions be suspended.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Thank you.
(Motion agreed to)
That's carried unanimously, I believe.
We want to welcome Mr. Trottier to the committee. He is from the Treasury Board Secretariat.
November 5th, 2012 / 4:50 p.m.
Carl Trottier Executive Director, Compensation and Labour Relations, Treasury Board Secretariat
That's correct. Thank you.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
We are addressing division 24, which deals with amendments to the Canada Revenue Agency Act.
Please give us a brief overview, and then we'll have questions from members.
4:50 p.m.
Executive Director, Compensation and Labour Relations, Treasury Board Secretariat
Thank you very much for having me.
I am Carl Trottier, the executive director of strategic compensation management at the Treasury Board Secretariat.
Before you today on division 24 are three amendments to the CRA Act. The first one is to require that CRA get Governor in Council approval prior to settling a negotiated settlement. The second requires that a bargaining mandate be obtained by the President of the Treasury Board before negotiating a mandate. The third is that they also come to the President of the Treasury Board on any major changes to their HR policies that could also have some cost implications.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Thank you very much for that.
Are there any questions?
Monsieur Mai, s'il vous plaît.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Thank you for joining us today.
Could you explain how the consultations with the President of the Treasury Board will unfold in terms of determining compensation, work hours and leave?
4:50 p.m.
Executive Director, Compensation and Labour Relations, Treasury Board Secretariat
Since the agency is a separate body, people will negotiate their own wages with the bargaining agents. However, before the start of negotiations, the President of the Treasury Board will be contacted to approve the mandate that they hope to negotiate. It will then be up to the President of the Treasury Board to determine whether the mandate is appropriate, in light of the mandates given to other employers.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
In terms of the definition of the mandate, what would the instructions be for negotiations and procedures that will make it possible to get to that level? Do we have more information about that?
4:55 p.m.
Executive Director, Compensation and Labour Relations, Treasury Board Secretariat
No, it is the responsibility of each separate employer to make the request and to discuss it with the Treasury Board Secretariat, even before going to the president's office to make the request. But prior to that, some kind of consultation has to take place.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
If the President of the Treasury Board does not approve a mandate developed by the Canada Revenue Agency, who has the final say?
4:55 p.m.
Executive Director, Compensation and Labour Relations, Treasury Board Secretariat
Are you asking who has the last word if the agency does not agree with the mandate provided by the Treasury Board?
4:55 p.m.
Executive Director, Compensation and Labour Relations, Treasury Board Secretariat
The President of the Treasury Board has the power to deny the agency's request. However, there will, of course, need to be an explanation for the underlying reason—
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
I would like to fully understand this. Could you tell us how it is possible to get more information about this topic? It is not public. It is a discussion that—
4:55 p.m.
Executive Director, Compensation and Labour Relations, Treasury Board Secretariat
Unfortunately, it is not public for a number of reasons. That would make negotiations very difficult and probably very costly as well. For all those reasons, those documents are sealed when a request is made.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Could you tell us why the Canada Revenue Agency was not covered, while the other organizations were?