Government Operations Committee on Feb. 15th, 2018

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

It's the international assistance priorities. That's what I have here, $202.5 million.

[Brian Pagan]

Right. This is a top-up to the existing budget at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. The funding is being transferred from the international assistance envelope, so within the framework, there are monies identified for international priorities, and specifically—

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Does this include the Rohingya top-up for donations that was announced by the government at the end of 2017?

[Brian Pagan]

I don't know about that specific initiative, but I can tell you that this money, $202.5 million, is intended for multilateral programming that is aimed at disaster assistance, humanitarian relief, and grants to multilateral institutions. I believe this might be part of that humanitarian relief, but I would have to confirm that.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Then you have the other item that says “help developing countries to address the impact of climate change”. I know it's different. It's very specific to climate change. Would this be going also to Global Affairs, or is this something that you would...?

[Brian Pagan]

It's also an item for Foreign Affairs. We're talking about $169.7 million. This program is set up with the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank. There are two steams to this. There's the Canadian climate change program, which has a global reach. So through the IFC, Canadian money is being pooled with funding from other donors and it is available to support climate change programs around the world. Then there is a second stream, which is the Inter-American Development Bank Canadian climate fund. That is focused on the Americas.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you.

We'll now go to the five-minute round starting with Mr. McCauley.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Thanks. I have some quick questions.

Under the TBS, the $6.3 million for Phoenix, is any of that money being used for outside consultants?

[Renée LaFontaine]

The quick answer is yes, but I will kind of tell you how. Of that $6.3 million that we're focused on, $4.9 million is basically to look at, as Brian talked about, taking our HR systems and how they feed pay—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Who are the outside consultants?

[Renée LaFontaine]

Depending on what it is, we have several initiatives under way, so there are lots of professional services plus other companies. I'd have to get back to you.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

That would be perfect if you wouldn't mind.

[Renée LaFontaine]

There are quite a few actually working with us right now.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Perfect. Great.

I've heard stories that the government is going to put out a very large RFP for outside consultants to assist with Phoenix. I've heard stories that it's about a three- to six-month RFP period. I'm wondering if you can tell us about that.

[Renée LaFontaine]

I'm sorry, I can't actually. We have posted the request for service but we haven't yet signed a contract.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Have you posted publicly?

[Renée LaFontaine]

We've asked for bids.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Is the RFP public?

[Renée LaFontaine]

Yes. We put it out.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

What's the scope of the RFP and what's the value as well, please?

[Renée LaFontaine]

We were looking for consultants who actually have a very good understanding of the PeopleSoft system. That's our HR system that feeds pay.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

This is all about PeopleSoft.

[Renée LaFontaine]

That's right.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Okay.

There's money, as there always is, for advertising. In this committee, we actually put forward a report suggesting that the government should move the advertising away from Facebook and more to traditional Canadian companies, local newspapers, etc.

Have you received any direction from the government that this money should be pushed toward that or do you know if this money is going right into U.S. digital media for advertising?

[Brian Pagan]

This specific request in supplementary estimates (C) is for Public Works and Government Services. It is digital advertising to support moving Canadians to direct deposit. I'm not part of the discussions on the broader direction of the advertising policy.