Evidence of meeting #86 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was rcmp.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Why has it been abandoned in the provincial public service?
National President, Executive Office, Public Service Alliance of Canada
I can't answer that.
Conservative
National President, Executive Office, Public Service Alliance of Canada
It does exist in many places, sir.
Conservative
National President, Executive Office, Public Service Alliance of Canada
Well, it does exist in unionized places, with CUPE, for example, in municipalities.
National President, Executive Office, Public Service Alliance of Canada
I will get you the list.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Okay. Thank you very much.
Madam Tremblay, can you explain the difference between the federal public service sick leave system and the one that exists in the private sector?
President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees
I can say, for example, that in many private sector firms, particularly large ones, there are no limits to the number of sick days that employees can take. My cousin works at IBM. He's been working there for several years. There's no limit, so he.... Like you distinguished MPs, if you are not in Parliament, nobody will remove pay from you, and there's no calculation of the number of days you're sick. You're deemed to be working when you're off because you're sick. The very same exists at IBM that I know of.
If my cousin is sick for three days, there's no short-term disability kicking in because there's a bit of a lag, but his supervisor will not ask him to bring in a doctor's note or anything. There's no record of it. Also, if he's away for longer, then their short-term disability will kick in, but there's no bank because there's no need for a bank. Because whatever the person needs.... One year, it's one day, the next year, it's 18 days.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
What you're saying is that there's no need for a bank. Basically you're saying that the current federal system is different and that there's no need for a banking of sick days. That's what you just said, correct?
President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees
If there is wage replacement. Right now, the current proposal that's on the table has a waiting period, which actually is a deterrent to staying at home when you're sick. Based on public health data, we know that where workplaces do not have paid sick leave or salary replacement, there are higher public health costs.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Okay. So what you're saying is that it sounds like the current system in the public service, the federal government, could be changed. It could be changed to be more in line with the private sector. That's what you basically—
President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees
What I'm saying is that there are systems in the private sector that ensure salary replacement when people are sick. That's what we need.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
You would not be opposed to changes in the federal system that would mimic the private sector.
President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees
If the government has the goodwill to bargain it and not impose it through a legislative hammer that is not required and that is unconstitutional....
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Okay, but you're talking about the process of getting there, not the end result. The end result is a similar system to the private sector.
President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees
The end result has already been predetermined by booking this $900-million saving. Basically, what the government is saying—
Conservative
President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees
—is that there is no way to discuss—
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
It's the process that's bothering you, not the end result.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
It's the process, not the end result. It sounds like you could be okay with the end result.
President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees
The problem is with the legislation, with division 20 of Bill. The problem is with the profound unconstitutionality of this legislation.
