Evidence of meeting #5 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was digital.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:40 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
The only thing I would add is that the department has been in growth mode for two reasons during the last couple of years. The member already mentioned Phoenix. There has been significant growth there.
The other issue that's causing growth is the parliamentary precinct long-term vision and plan, massive projects staffing up there as well.
Contractors are absolutely a crucial part of our delivery force, but the FTEs of the department are growing.
10:40 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
It looks as though, based on your own plan, in 2020-21, your FTE complements go from 16,000 this year to 13,587 next year. I assume that if you have the same amount of work and you're losing 2,400 FTE complements, that can only come from contracting, unless you're reducing the amount of work being provided through the service.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Anita Anand Liberal Oakville, ON
We have a full slate of work at PSPC. Much of it relates to projects that start and then stop again.
For example, in the parliamentary precinct over the past number of years we have employed 25,000 people. It is the fluctuating nature of the work we do that gives rise to some of the differences you're seeing.
10:40 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Is the variation coming from the construction of the precinct?
10:40 a.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, can I ask that an answer be provided in writing through the clerk?
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Absolutely, Mr. Green.
As I do as a normal course of practice at the end of each meeting, there are usually very many questions on which, unfortunately, we couldn't get an answer provided because of time constraints, so I would ask in this particular case, where any further questions have been posed by individual members, that you respond in writing to all of those through the clerk so that we can distribute that to the committee members.
Mr. Matthews, I believe you had a question.
10:40 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Chair, I want to make one clarification. Thank you.
Page 58 of the departmental results report actually answers the member's last question, so I would just leave it at that.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Thank you so much.
Colleagues, we have another group coming in here at 11 a.m., so rather than suspend and go into committee business, I'm going to keep the witnesses at the table and deal with this in public, if I can, very quickly.
A revised calendar has been distributed. All of you have seen that. Just to clarify, notwithstanding what was decided at an earlier meeting, when the PBO appears before this committee on March 24 he will be speaking only to his reports on supplementary estimates. He can be invited at a later date to speak on the main estimates and report on them.
Can we agree with that? Thank you very much.
Finally, in response to an outstanding question from the last meeting, we have filled March 26 with a red tape reduction study because the minister has responded to us as not being available on that date. Therefore, to the advice of this committee, we're going ahead with another hour, or two hours, on red tape reduction.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Can we get that on the record?
Minister, thank you once again. This is your first appearance before the committee.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
We do appreciate it, and we look forward to seeing you again.
Colleagues, the meeting is adjourned.
