Evidence of meeting #109 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pco.
A recording is available from Parliament.
President, Public Service Commission
I'm sorry; I didn't quite understand.
NDP
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
You issued a call for tenders for online testing services, which included tests on the Public Service Resourcing System. Perhaps you haven't followed up on this call for tenders.
President, Public Service Commission
I will have to provide an answer later. I don't have this information with me, unless my colleague does. I see he doesn't.
Mr. Chair, I will provide the committee with an answer later.
NDP
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Please. The committee would find this information useful.
I'm really concerned about the literacy gaps that can be observed. We know that 20% of our population are functionally illiterate, and that 50% of that population have problems with reading comprehension.
You have told us a lot about the innovative measures you have taken to reach out to young people. We know that not all jobs are specialized. What tools do you use to help different groups of people, particularly those with literacy problems, but also those whose first language isn't French or English?
President, Public Service Commission
Thank you for your question.
Our tests are adapted to all needs. About 50 industrial psychologists work with us. They ensure that our tests meet all possible international standards and that they are adapted for all needs, whether they are related to disability and learning issues or problems of all kinds. We are constantly reviewing our tests, both paper and online. Increasingly, our tests are done electronically. We make sure that the language, skills and knowledge tests are well-suited to all these needs.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Thank you very much.
Colleagues, I think we have time for one more complete seven-minute round, and we will start with Mr. Peterson.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, everyone, for being with us this afternoon.
I want to talk briefly to the Transportation Safety Board. When it's determined which national body investigates, am I right to assume it's where the accident or occurrence took place?
Chair, Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board
We look first at the state of occurrence. If we talk about aviation—
Chair, Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board
It's different under different modes. We look at the state of occurrence. Where did the incident or accident happen? In the simplest terms, if a foreign carrier is involved in an accident in Canada, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has the mandate to conduct the investigation, but signatories to ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, can provide accredited representatives because we may need information from that state—the stated manufacturer, the operator of the aircraft. If it's a Canadian-registered operator or there's a significant Canadian interest, for example, a manufacturer or the number of people on board who are Canadian, but it happens in another state and that state has a strong, independent body capable of conducting investigations, that state will carry out the investigation. Then we will assist under ICAO annex 13 as an accredited rep. However, the state of occurrence conducts the investigation.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
That's what I assumed, based on your evidence earlier today. I just wanted to confirm that because it wasn't asked expressly. Thank you for that clarification.
Madam Fox, most of your supplementary estimates deal with salaries and benefits. Is most of it flowing from the new collective bargaining agreement, and if so, are these payments retroactive?
Chair, Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board
Yes. It's the new increases as a result of the collective agreements signed in the past few months. It affects this fiscal year as well as retroactively up to this signing and the two previous fiscal years. It's a combination of the increases and the retroactive payments.
Chair, Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board
That's correct.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Therefore, we should presume it won't be such a large amount once the retroactivity has caught up.
Chair, Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board
We do know that this is the amount required to cover off our operating deficit for this fiscal year. We're in discussion with central agencies like Treasury Board and Finance, but there will be a future impact because the increases were higher than anticipated.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Right. Am I right to assume it won't be as large? Is all the retroactivity being done in this fiscal year? That's my point.
Chair, Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board
Yes, all the retroactivity is being covered off in this fiscal year. The issue going forward will be the impact of the increases on future requirements.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Thank you for that clarification.
Mr. Borbey, I want to talk a bit about your report and your comments. I'll start with the reduction in application time for students, which is a good thing, I think. It shows some good innovation is happening in your department, so kudos for that.
Was there a significant increase in the number of applications because of this?
President, Public Service Commission
This is interesting because I looked at the numbers, and we didn't necessarily see a huge increase in the number of applications. However, the applications came in earlier. I was just looking at the curve, when they came in through the period just before the summer, because I mostly looked at the last summer period. I think it's a really good thing because it allows more time for managers to select and for more referrals. That was an immediate impact.
We're still looking at the data. We don't quite have all the data yet in whether it also led to more hirings. I can't tell you that at this point. Intuitively, from what I'm hearing, yes, there have been more hirings in the last summer period. In working with all deputy ministers, the clerk sent a signal that we wanted to improve the student experience this last summer and increase the number of students because we're conscious that they are potentially a very important pool for future renewal.
Clearly our work led to much quicker applications, and that pool being established more quickly, and allowed managers to draw on it more quickly.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
That's good to hear. Thank you for that.
Briefly, the only money you're asking for in the supplementary estimates (B) is the CFIA transfer, which is an annual transfer.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
You say you are working on having it included in annual reference levels for future years. How is that going?