Evidence of meeting #79 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 wrongdoing.
A video is available from Parliament.
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
That's at the heart of it.
Last week the deputies all signed a pledge to make sure that they have a workplace that is respectful.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Let me just ask some quick questions because I'm almost out of time.
Should we be teaching this in our School of Public Service? We understand it's a phenomenal institute.
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
We do.
When you're first hired, you get a copy of the code, so what does it mean? It's mandatory that you take the...at the Canada School—
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Well, yes, it's mandatory that they receive it. How are we following up to make sure they're actually reading it, and so on?
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
It's a mandatory three-hour online course with a test at the end.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
I know, but you know what? The Phoenix training was mandatory and it wasn't done. How are we tracking that this is getting done?
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
If someone hasn't taken it, the information is given to the department that it needs to be done.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
You've talked about a culture of doing the right thing. Do you think we are doing the right thing? Do you think we have that culture?
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
I know there is not a cookie-cutter approach to it. You're talking about awareness, education, and support.
If you're going to raise awareness like we are doing on mental health, getting rid of the stigma of talking about it, and saying that there is an issue, then you also have to have the support. It's your employee assistance program—
Conservative
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
Right.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
—and we're working toward it.
On a scale of one to 10, where do you think we are, at nine? Are we almost there?
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
You know what?
Conservative
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
I had read the triennial, the 2014...so I know where the hot spots were. The next annual survey is out in about two months and I'm going to be delving into those results.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Where do you think we are in terms of the culture right now?
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
I think there is continuous improvement.
Conservative
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
As I say, there is lots to be done.
Conservative
NDP
Erin Weir NDP Regina—Lewvan, SK
To follow Mr. McCauley's example of asking you about specific provisions of the act, one of those provisions is that the legislation itself should be reviewed every five years. That clearly didn't happen, so I'm wondering how Treasury Board interprets that requirement.
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
That...I wasn't there. After the five years, it just didn't happen. I'm pleased that it's happening now. There is, I know, the five-year requirement. That's all I can tell you on that one.
NDP
Erin Weir NDP Regina—Lewvan, SK
Okay, but given that requirement, how does it come about that Treasury Board didn't conduct a review after five years?
Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
I have no idea. I've been in the job for a year and a half, so....
NDP
Erin Weir NDP Regina—Lewvan, SK
Have you any thoughts, Mr. Trottier? Okay.
I'd also like to ask about the definition of “wrongdoing”. We've discussed the code of conduct a fair bit. I'm wondering why wrongdoing isn't defined to include Treasury Board policies in general.
