Government Operations Committee on May 17th, 2016

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

No, have one, and we'll get two more.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Will there be another round of questions, Mr. Chair?

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

Other than to say that Canada Post, as you know, is in a surplus position, so by the end of December, we're looking at having a review competed and a report ready—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

They are in a surplus because they're on a pension holiday. Were you aware of the losses that you were inflicting on the taxpayers by interrupting the five-step program? It wasn't just the mailboxes. It was the freezing of the price increase on stamps as well. Did you take that into consideration?

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

Everything was taken into consideration. We want to make sure that Canadians—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

It was more than just the mailboxes—

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

Yes, absolutely, and we want to make sure that Canadians are consulted on this very comprehensive independent review.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Can you update us on where we are on the fair wage policy? We discussed it on March 10. You said we weren't very far down the road. Where are we with that right now, please?

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

We're working with our colleagues. This department doesn't have the lead on the fair wage policy—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

But it's in your mandate letter.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

It's in cooperation with other departments, so we're working on it together. We don't have the lead on that particular file. Another department does.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Who does?

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

It would be ESDC.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

I was going to ask you about the fair wage policy, but I don't think you have any answers for me.

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

We will have answers. Just give us time. We're working very hard on all of our files.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

My time is pretty much up.

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

We will cut it off there and go to Mr. Weir for seven minutes, please.

[Erin Weir, NDP, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Canada's steel industry is struggling against the tide of offshore steel dumped into our market. Earlier this month there were more layoffs at the EVRAZ steel mill at the north end of my riding.

Producing a tonne of steel in Canada with relatively clean energy and strong environmental standards emits far less carbon than producing it offshore. A further environmental advantage of using Canadian-made steel in Canada is that it minimizes the emissions from transporting the steel.

In the main estimates your department is seeking funding to undertake improvements to federal buildings, the Alaska highway, the Esquimalt graving dock and the Alexandra Bridge here in Ottawa. Will these projects be completed using Canadian-made steel?

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

There has been no decision made on having all Canadian-made steel used in these projects. There is a variety of steel that's used, Canadian steel as well as steel that's imported. No decision has been made at this point on whether or not to go with just Canadian steel.

[Erin Weir, NDP, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Okay, well, last time you appeared before our committee I asked you about steel for the new Champlain Bridge, a huge federal infrastructure project. Your department's written response indicates that 19% of the steel will be made in Canada.

Do you believe that is an appropriate percentage, and if not, what steps will you take to source more of the steel from our country?

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

That's certainly something we're looking at as a department. I think it's important for us, in light of the steel industry—you already referenced it, and we've had representation from other members of Parliament as well—to look at opportunities to maximize benefits for Canadians. That's on a number of fronts, including the use of Canadian-made steel.

[Erin Weir, NDP, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

According to its 2016-17 report on plans and priorities, the Defence Procurement Secretariat will “launch an open and transparent competition to replace the CF-18 fighter aircraft, focusing on options that match Canada’s defence needs”. Will the F-35 be considered as one of those options?

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

DND is taking the lead, determining what its needs will be—not what it wants but what the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces will be. So the review by Canada Post....

The review by the defence minister—

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Erin Weir, NDP, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

You might get an answer sooner.