Government Operations Committee on June 7th, 2022

[Marie-Chantal Girard]

The directive, without being updated, is still relevant and still implemented. Realities and challenges change, but performance management continues.

In practical terms, each head of department or agency can work with the Public Service Commission to establish a specific strategy. There is a labour shortage across the country. Here, it would be easy to say that this is a headquarters issue in Ottawa. But that's not the case. It is a Canada Border Services Agency problem across the country. Even at the regional level, there is a labour shortage, hence the importance of the skills strategy that we are developing. It's also important to match needs with supply.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Thank you very much, Ms. Girard.

We will now go to Mr. Housefather for five minutes.

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Good evening, Madam Minister.

We are very pleased to welcome you here to the committee.

I am going to talk first about a subject that is of concern to all of us and that is close to your heart, as it is to mine, and that is the issue of official languages in Canada. I am not just talking about bilingualism on a national level. We understand the importance of supporting linguistic minorities, both francophones outside Quebec and anglophones in Quebec.

Many concerns have been raised in relation to the issue of official languages in the federal government. How will Bill C‑13 give more power to Treasury Board to ensure the equality of English and French within the various federal departments?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

I think we have the same passion.

I thank you for your question and for the important work you are doing to modernize the Official Languages Act.

All parliamentarians are working on this issue, and I hope that we will be able to move forward quickly with Bill C‑13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages, so that this famous Official Languages Act can be modernized, after more than 50 years. This legislation should give us more ways to increase the relevance of official languages across the country.

As we know, French is in decline throughout Canada, even in Quebec. We must find ways to strengthen both of the country's official languages.

Bill C‑13 will strengthen the Treasury Board's powers with respect to official languages, which will ensure compliance by federal institutions, as well as an increased monitoring, auditing and evaluation role. Before, we didn't necessarily do it formally, but now it will really give the Treasury Board the authority to do it. It's really important to continue these efforts and to clarify the role of the Treasury Board in order to strengthen official languages across the country.

With regard to the public service, I would like to mention that respecting official languages is not only an obligation of the government, but also one of its priorities. It is essential to provide services efficiently and effectively in both official languages. We are committed to providing federal services in accordance with our official languages obligations.

As I said earlier to Mr. Lemire, we will continue to increase the number of positions that will be offered in both official languages. We will continue to put in place language training programs for public servants. We even have a project for graduates and newcomers. We want to help them master both official languages and offer these services to Canadians.

A lot of effort and investment is being made, and we will continue to show leadership. With the help of all parliamentarians, we will be able to ensure that the new law is adopted. I personally hope that it will be passed soon.

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Thank you, Minister.

I have one more question for you.

This committee has delivered a very fulsome report on whistle-blowers. I think it's a priority for all of the members of the committee that the government strengthens policies and processes to support whistle-blowers. Can you talk a little bit about what your department is now doing to ensure that happens?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Yes. Thank you.

You know that our government believes that those who disclose serious wrongdoings must be protected. The law provides a secure and confidential process for disclosing serious wrongdoings in the workplace and protection from acts of reprisal. Public servants' disclosures result in an average of 10 findings of wrongdoing every year.

As you know, Canada's whistle-blowing law is part of the recourse options that cover harassment, discrimination, labour grievances and privacy complaints. Our government has strengthened training, monitoring, reporting and policies on workplace harassment and violence. Budget 2022 funded the review of the act, which I'm hopeful we can launch later this year.

I hope that answers your question, MP Housefather.

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Thank you so much.

Mr. Chair, do I have any more time, or am I done?

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

There goes the bell. That was perfect timing. Thank you very much.

We'll go to Mr. Lemire for two and a half minutes.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

You should never ask a question you don't want to hear the answer to.

Minister, the main estimates did not include any funding for the Law Commission of Canada, which was re‑established on May 16, 2022. Suddenly, just over $4 million in funding has been allocated to this commission in the supplementary estimates (A).

What will this money be used for?

Please reassure me, because I fear that, under the guise of public consultations, the Government of Canada will re‑establish this commission to challenge the laws of Quebec and the Canadian provinces it does not like.

What exactly will these funds be used for?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you very much for asking that question.

I'm going to ask Ms. Boudreau to tell you in more detail what the $4 million for this commission will be used for.

[Annie Boudreau]

Thank you for your question.

Indeed, $4.3 million is included in the supplementary estimates (A). This investment, which was announced, comes from the 2020‑21 federal budget. As you said, it's for the re‑establishment of the Law Commission of Canada.

I'm sorry. All of my notes here are in English. If you allow me, I will try to answer in both official languages.

The Minister of Justice's mandate letter indicates that the law commission will initially focus on issues such as systemic racism in the justice system and advancing reconciliation with indigenous peoples.

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you.

We talked about the $28.5 million for the Privy Council Office. There are two lines I'd like to get more information on.

What is the Emergencies Act inquiry? Can you elaborate on that?

I would also like a little bit more information on emergency management and preparedness.

[Annie Boudreau]

Thank you.

The amount is going to be used to prepare a report, one year after the act has been implemented. An order in council was put in place on April 25 this year. A report should be submitted on February 20 next year. This money is for part-time staff, about 15 people, who will do the analysis and submit the report by February of next year.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you very much.

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

This is one of the intentions we had when we passed the act. We are required to submit this report and to give an account of what we have done under the act. That is part of our obligations.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

We understand that it was impossible to foresee COVID‑19, but there are consequences that can be better explained.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Thank you, Mr. Lemire. Two and a half minutes goes by very quickly.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Mr. Johns, you have two and a half minutes.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Minister, this government is increasingly spending money on expensive consultants, like Phoenix pay, while public servants are being offered wage increases that simply don't keep up with inflation.

Do you believe hard-working public servants, who have delivered for Canadians throughout the pandemic, deserve increases that account for the rising cost of living?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you for your question.

I know that the increase in inflation is something that everybody is living with right now. Because of many global and environmental situations, we are all faced with the—

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Minister, I'm sorry. We only have a little bit of time.

Do you believe that they should be getting wage increases that meet the cost of living and inflation costs that are happening right now?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

I believe that right now we are actually having conversations during collective bargaining. That conversation is happening at that table with the Public Service Alliance, for example, and all the other unions. I would prefer that conversation happened at that table.