Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to participate today.
My name is Chris Aylward. I'm the national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, representing over 140,000 federal public sector workers.
I would like to begin by commending the federal government for its continued financial support to Canadians and businesses impacted by COVID-19. Many of the 140,000 members of the federal public service are proud of their ongoing work to help deliver this support, and proud of their contributions during a time that remains difficult for many across the country.
Our members at the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada have helped process tens of millions of applications for financial assistance for individuals and businesses, and are continuing to do so every day.
Border services officers deal with potentially infected travellers daily; food inspectors are in grave danger of outbreaks at meat-packing plants, and personnel in federal penitentiaries face similar threats.
With the restrictions brought on by each new wave of COVID-19, they have done this work around the clock when needed, with their children by their side, with family members to care for, and with the constant stress of changes that the virus has brought to the daily lives of each of us.
During my appearance before the committee last May, I noted that the government, as an employer, had been in unprecedented regular communication with our union as the pandemic unfolded. I am pleased to report that these open lines of communication have been maintained.
These open channels of co-operation have allowed us to facilitate greater support to our members, so that they might not only provide critical services to Canadians but also address the myriad of workplace problems generated by the pandemic.
A key and ongoing concern for PSAC members, and in fact for all public service employees, is the government's commitment to the health and safety of its employees. The pandemic is far from over and it must remain a top priority.
Despite some exceptions that we continue to work through, we acknowledge that the federal government has worked hard to keep the vast majority of our members safe during this pandemic. The measures put in place by Treasury Board have been in consultation with PSAC through respectful dialogue.
This largely effective collaboration has permitted the establishment of important new measures, including the vaccination framework and planning for the easing of restrictions.
The shortcomings in health and safety were largely apparent for our members working in specific sectors, notably border services officers and our food inspectors, fisheries inspectors and transportation inspectors. Safety measures were at times lacking or too slow in their implementation.
Moving forward, whether on the front lines or in offices, our members need to know that protective measures and training will be in place, and that personal protective equipment will be in stock and available. The availability of rapid testing should also remain an ongoing priority for those performing on-site work.
It must also be noted that many of our frontline workers were not given priority access to vaccines by provincial authorities. We hope the federal government can work with its provincial counterparts to avoid this in the future. The race between vaccines and variants will determine the outcome of this pandemic as it unfolds, and our workers need every protection available afforded them.
The PSAC is also continuing to work in full collaboration with Treasury Board as co-chair of the centre of expertise on mental health in the workplace.
One key lesson from the last year is that the flexible leave provisions negotiated between federal public sector unions and the government have been key to allowing workers to weather this crisis while continuing to deliver for Canadians.
Provisions such as the 699 leave have allowed thousands of workers to care for children when child care centres and schools shut down at various points in the pandemic. They allowed workers to keep their communities and family members safe, and to care for those who fell ill, including themselves. Rather than plunge these workers into personal and financial chaos, and rather than dragging the public service and our economy right along with them, they allowed these dedicated employees to work flexible hours and take the time they needed to address the hardships created by the pandemic.
That's why it has been disappointing, however, that the government has attempted to restrict the use of 699 leave across the public service, despite clear evidence that it is largely being used only when necessary.
Now, more broadly, PSAC is pleased the government has continued to respond to this crisis with progressive measures to support Canadians. Actions such as expanding access to employment insurance, the CERB, and supports for students, parents, seniors, women's shelters, food banks and emergency housing, have all been welcome and much needed.
The federal government's expenditures are an investment in Canadians and the future of this country. This pandemic has shown that public services are unique and indispensable. We cannot return to austerity measures, an austerity mentality and cutbacks to social services and programs. Instead, let's ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share while we work to rebuild and remake our country, and indeed the world, into something much better.
Thank you, Chair.