Government Operations Committee on March 10th, 2016

[George Da Pont]

Again, I'll ask Kevin Radford.

[Kevin Radford]

Yes, we can provide the costing data, etc. Actually, George is being modest. He asks me for an update every Monday morning on this particular project, so we provide an update and it is, so far, on schedule.

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

It's on schedule. That's good to know.

You referred to the Champlain Bridge. This is a very important project, and again I believe you are on track. Can you provide us with an update as well on this very important project for the Montreal and south shore region?

[George Da Pont]

The one thing I should say that I probably should have said in my initial response, which I'm sure you know, is that the overall responsibility for that project is with Transport and Infrastructure; it is not with our department. We've worked with and supported them very closely on handling all of the contracting aspects of that. For instance, in response to the question on steel, I will have to go back to them for the information, but I do know that, again, it's part of the regular updating I get, and it is on its projected schedule.

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

Thank you.

Were you involved in the tender process for the Champlain Bridge and, if so, since it's the will of the new government not to have the toll system, is it having an impact on the mandate or the modifications of the project?

Should I ask that of you or Transport maybe?

[George Da Pont]

I think the question is better asked to Transport, because it is a policy question around tolls.

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

Okay. Good.

You mentioned—and maybe this will be a more interesting question—that you were proud of this new pay system, Phoenix. It seems like I didn't notice—I still get my due—but is it working well?

[George Da Pont]

I think you've answered the question. If you had noticed, I think we would be having a much more difficult discussion at this committee.

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

Good.

[George Da Pont]

I think people often say that in government you can't effectively manage big projects. I want to say that this was an enormous project of consolidating pay administration that was divided among every department and agency in government. Consolidating it into a pay centre in Miramichi and at the same time introducing a new system that automates a fair bit of the work should be significant improvements.

I think people sometimes underestimate how challenging managing projects of that size and that nature are. I'm not going to declare victory yet, but we went through the first pay period this week, and it worked very well. I'd feel a little more comfortable going through at least one or two more pay periods before I crack the champagne open, but I do want to say that I think this has been a remarkable job by the team that has worked on that in our department and in other departments. The fact that you didn't notice a difference is exactly what we were aiming for.

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

Good.

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

Thank you very much.

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

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

Our final five-minute question-and-answer session will be led by Monsieur Drouin.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have one comment. Before I said that millennials were tech savvy. We're not tech savvy like Mr. Graham over here is.

I have just one more comment before I go on to questions. I want to thank Mr. Blaney for being passionate about defending shipbuilding jobs in Canada. I hope he looks to have her platform. I am reading with interest how in budget 2010 the Conservative government had announced a 25% tariff reduction to allow imports of vessels into Canada so shipowners could buy vessels abroad, thereby not protecting Canadian jobs. I hope he shares the same passion that he had back in 2010.

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

We called it free trade.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I have a question for Shared Services. This has to do with PSPC now. How is SSC managing the transition between legacy technologies and their related contracts and new technologies and their contracts? Just as one example, I know PWGSC or PSPC is managing some of the older contracts, legacy contracts like NESS.

I am asking because some companies are finding themselves in limbo. They are awaiting a new procurement vehicle. SSC wants to buy new technology, but it can't because it doesn't have the procurement vehicle. Is there a strategy you have adapted towards transition? I know we won't be talking about this in five years, because everything will be resolved, but in the meantime, is there a strategy that's being applied?

[Ron Parker]

Absolutely. The procurement instruments have been developed, and as of September 1 last year, the remainder of the national standing offers moved over to Shared Services Canada. We are operating on the basis of that, taking the orders from the departments to fulfill their needs. So the instruments are there, and they're working very effectively.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Pardon my ignorance; I was in a campaign.

Mr. Blaney was mentioning the Vimy monument. He said it was on time and on budget. When exactly is it going to be completed?

[Kevin Radford]

Unfortunately, I don't have that specific information with me, but it's something we can certainly provide for you. I just didn't bring the data with me. I apologize.

[George Da Pont]

I can supply the actual date.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Okay. It's just that the 150th anniversary is coming up.

[George Da Pont]

Obviously it will be in time for the 150th anniversary, but I've forgotten the specific date.

[Kevin Radford]

Or there will be a new ADM of real property here the next time.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!