Government Operations Committee on June 7th, 2007

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

We understood that that hadn't changed since 1965.

[Diane Melançon]

That's correct. We aren't given any points for responsibility, complexity and so on. We shouldn't even be classified AS-2s. That classification doesn't at all recognize the work we do. We've filed grievances, we've done everything, and that has resulted in absolutely nothing.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

In closing, Madam Chair, I would like to recall, in the interests of this committee, that Ms. Barrados told us when she appeared that she clearly saw staffing problems coming in the federal public service, if I remember correctly. She told us that there wasn't any problem, that she didn't see any. Ms. Jauvin, from the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada, told us that, in her view, everything was “under control”, that there was no problem.

In view of what we're being told today, I'd like to know whether it is possible to examine this problem in greater detail. Unhappy employees are tired employees, who are sick more often. That has an impact on the government's budget. That is why I would like to question Ms. Barrados and Ms. Jauvin further. Is that possible?

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Ms. Jauvin has appeared, and we know—

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

I'd like to see her again.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Ms. Barrados told us that she was responsible for recruitment and that compensation was not her responsibility. However, we could invite the Clerk of the Privy Council to appear before our committee. He is in fact the senior person responsible.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

I met Mr. Himmelfarb, who was clerk of the entire public service, a year and a half ago. He was very sensitive to what employees were experiencing. I remember that he even published a small booklet and that it was distributed to everyone working on the Hill. He asked that the departments, ministers and deputy ministers take very specific orientations.

How can it be explained that that wasn't done?

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

You'd have to ask—

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Policies come and go, but deputy ministers remain.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Perhaps the matter—I made a suggestion.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

That's the question I ask myself.

Unless you have any other suggestions?

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

The next person to speak is Mr. Poilievre.

But summoning the Clerk of the Privy Council is a suggestion.

[Raymond Bonin, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Madam Chair, let's call that a point of order: could we limit ourselves and stop at 5:00 p.m., in order to have a chance to touch on other subject?

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Yes.

Mr. Poilievre.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

I don't even know why I'm on the list, because I have no questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

That's fine.

[Raymond Bonin, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

May I suggest that we stop at 4:55 p.m., then?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

I know that all the members are disappointed that I have no questions, but that's the way it is.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Does someone want to suggest that we invite the Clerk of Privy Council?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

We will ask that the Clerk of the Privy Council come before the committee. We will ask him questions and maybe we will get some answers, or he has the ability to get the answers we would like.

Thank you very much for coming before us. As you know, this is an issue we all care about, because you work for the people of Canada. It's important that all the people who work for the people of Canada get paid on time and the right amount of money. So thank you for coming.

Ms. Melançon.

[Diane Melançon]

Before closing, I'd like to thank this committee for its interest and concern in the issue of clients not getting paid efficiently, and of equal importance are the issues relating to compensation advisors, who are being held accountable for this situation unjustly.

We further want to express our appreciation for any efforts taken by your committee so that we can escalate a speedy resolution to a classification issue that is long overdue to be resolved.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Thank you very much.

We will now suspend for two minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Order.

Mr. Walsh, we have invited you, and I hope you've been given a copy of our motion. Perhaps you could quickly address the issue that is of concern to the Conservative members.

Mr. Kramp, you had a concern, if you want to bring it forth to Mr. Walsh.