I just want to point out two firms that receive the most money from government. Since 2001, one has received $96 million from the federal government for temporary services. Another, which is an adjunct of this company, has received $23 million since 2005.
It seems to me we almost have these satellite public services that exist outside of the formal public service. When we look at the dilemma here and how to retain people, value for money is something as well. Hopefully the budgetary officer, who as part of Bill C-2 will overlook spending--not after it's spent, which is the Auditor General's job, but before--will take a look at this. The value-for-money argument is one that I don't think has been addressed.
Before the Christmas holidays I had three town halls on foreign credentials and the labour market with members who are newcomers to our country. There were engineers, doctors, people from right across the professional gambit, and they all want to work. They're all qualified, but they can't get into the public service. I submit to this committee that when 35,200 college and university graduates applied for jobs last year--as was submitted by Ms. Barrados--and only 550 were hired, and half of them were for term positions, I think it's pretty obvious what the problem is. There's no room at the inn.
There are plenty of qualified people. Granted, we have a crisis down the road if you look at ages, but we are dealing with the here and now. The here and now for me is that we need to hire people, commit to people, and commit to people who are newcomers, because we know that's 100% where we'll get our new employees from. When I hear from the public sector unions that they're having problems in terms of retention, we only have to look as far as the budgets and the amount of money we're spending on temporary hires. What kind of commitment is that? I think that's sending a message to people that “We want you, but only for a week. See you later.”
My last question is on protection of your pensions. I know there's some court action with others to make sure the moneys that are there for your pensions in the long term will be vested, and people can be assured that when they retire their pensions will be there for them. You mention your concern that many professionals cannot fully benefit because of mid-career entry or late starting age into the public service. I know that in other professions in other sectors that's a problem. Do you have some ideas on how that can be addressed?