Government Operations Committee on Oct. 27th, 2011

[Maria Barrados]

The public service in this respect is different from a lot of private organizations. We are a position-based system where the jobs are advertised. So employees can apply for other jobs and move themselves. In fact, I was complaining at the committee last year that there was too much movement in the system; I thought it was becoming unstable, because of the rate at which people were moving. That has slowed down.

So we do have a system where people can move themselves, if they're qualified. In addition, all managers will work with their employees and develop a training plan and talk to them about things they could learn, or about other opportunities. You can move people at the same level without a competitive process. So that's another thing that is going on in the public service.

It's true that the growth has slowed down, but we still brought in about 15,000 permanent and temporary term workers. Those were replacements so you had about that number of people going out. So there is still movement in and out.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Thank you, Madam Barrados. That actually completes our second round of questioning, and I hope the committee members feel they've had ample opportunity to grill you on your report.

While you're still with us here, I want to say that this will probably be the last annual report you file before Parliament. I, too, want to say how much we on this committee have appreciated our long relationship with you. I remember your service even prior to that in the deputy position, I believe.

[Maria Barrados]

It was Assistant Auditor General.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Yes, you were in the Auditor General's office. Many of the MPs wouldn't have known you in that capacity, but we've been well served by you for many, many years in Parliament.

We wish you every success and happiness in the next stage of your career, whatever interesting things that may bring. So thank you again.

If you have any closing remarks, we'd be happy to give you a moment or two to conclude your presentation today.

[Maria Barrados]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for those very kind words.

The Public Service Commission is preoccupied with a lot work that's inside government. But it is a really important organization to protect the integrity of our staffing system and the non-partisanship of the public service, which I think we very rightly can be very proud of.

As I leave, I would encourage this committee to keep its connection with the Public Service Commission and to be available to it, if the commission has issues it wants to bring forward to you. Certainly you will have the opportunity to look at the five-year review and assessment of the government, and there's our report on proposals for potential statutory change. I'm sure the commission will be coming out with other reports the committee may find of interest.

[The Chair, NDP, Pat Martin]

Thank you very much, Madam Barrados. We enjoyed that presentation very much.

The meeting is adjourned.