Evidence of meeting #44 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was problem.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Vice-President, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
As I mentioned, the problem has been building over the years. To have the numbers there is one thing. Get them in the system, get them in quick, start to educate them about the role of the public servant, and we can at least begin to stave off this problem.
But numbers are one thing and reality is another. What's happening in the federal public service, among the professionals, is these term positions. So let's get on with it.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Coming from Alberta, I think I understand. A number of years ago, Albertan employers were receiving a lot of applications. That doesn't mean they don't have a problem today. That's the perspective I come from. So I'm leaning towards the idea that possibly we do have a problem on our hands.
I would encourage our committee, Madam Chair, that if it be the committee's will, we look further into this to see whether there's something we should be looking at or possible recommendations we should be making to the government.
Liberal
Section Head of Research, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
I would just add one point. If we look at the numbers of people in science and technology and research and development today compared to those back in 1990 and 1993, we're just now back up at the levels we were at a decade and a half ago. So when we talked about professionals doing the job, of more than just the position, the numbers will pan out. Statistics Canada has those numbers, and they put them out every year.
We have lots of applications, but the money isn't there to hire or there isn't the willingness to actually expand. We know that since 1993 we've used computers a lot more. The use of technology has increased. The rate of change and innovation has increased. So there isn't less of a need for these people; there's a greater need. But we have fewer people doing those jobs.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Mr. Simard, do you have a question, and will Mr. Nadeau also want to ask a question?
Liberal
Liberal
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
Mr. Kramp brought up the idea of the different jurisdictions, and I think that's interesting. I noticed in our briefing that you also represent people at the provincial level. I'm assuming they're going through the same demographic challenges. Are there provinces that are doing something unique, something innovative that we should be looking at?
Vice-President, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
Not to my understanding at this point. They are going through the same thing. We can research that and provide you with the information.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
I don't know whether it is an urban legend or not, but we hear a lot about the fact that new Quebeckers and new Canadians, who have recently arrived in the country, have studied in their country of origin and have qualifications, are unable to break through or have to redo all or part of their course work in order to obtain the necessary qualifications here, because of the professional associations.
Is your union, together with the Public Service Commission, the Alliance and other organizations, trying to break down those barriers? This does not only affect the health care sector and the public service; there are qualified people out there who have to drive taxis or work in a convenience store, when they have the ability to fill positions that are currently vacant. Are you making an effort in that respect?
Vice-President, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
We represent federal and, as mentioned, provincial employees. When they are hired into the federal and provincial systems, whoever they are, yes, we do represent them.
The problem really is not ours, with all due respect; the problem is the federal system. Part of the issue here is that there are organizations that have standards on why they do accept people, for example, in engineering positions, certified engineers. They have standards in Canada, and those standards are there I think to protect the Canadian public. In some cases they may not feel that someone from another country, because of their educational system or because of other issues...they may not be up to receiving a qualification, so they have to go through a process.
In the federal government, for example, for an engineer, you have to be eligible to be a certified engineer. So the problem is not necessarily the unions. We will and we do encourage the employer to hire qualified people because that's what Canadians deserve.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
I want to remind the committee that on Tuesday, April 17, we are going to be continuing on this, and we're going to be receiving the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency on this very problem.
I wish you a good two-week break. On April 19 we'll have Minister Toews. We can ask him questions about that as well.
Thank you very much. The meeting is adjourned.