Evidence of meeting #40 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was departments.
A video is available from Parliament.
11:50 a.m.
President of the Treasury Board
Thank you for your questions.
I will start by saying that the CEWS, the Canada wage subsidy, was—I heard from many businesses—the greatest support to help them go through the pandemic, and it was a very good program that helped bridge them.
To answer your questions, I understand that this is a tax measure, so it doesn't go through Treasury Board authority.
Do you want to add to that?
11:50 a.m.
Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
Yes.
If you look at part one of the blue book, it is clearly indicated that the Canada child benefit is legislated through the Income Tax Act and is considered an expenditure for government financial reporting purposes. Parliament does not authorize annual spending for this item or for any other tax expenditures or refundable tax credits.
Thank you.
11:50 a.m.
President of the Treasury Board
That was for your first question.
For your second question, with the CERB, as we know, we wanted Canadians to have access to support as soon as possible. When we sent those cheques, we also mentioned that we would be auditing and making sure that it was used appropriately by Canadians, and that is what we are doing now. We are making sure that those who were eligible continue to receive the CERB, and those who didn't have the requirements need to.... It's the Canada Revenue Agency that is doing that work right now to make sure that those who need to reimburse do that.
As for the CW benefit, I don't know if my officials have an answer at this time.
11:50 a.m.
Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat
It's the same thing. It's considered a tax measure. Accordingly, it's not part of the estimates that you are studying right now.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
I'll follow up with a question with regard to the mandate of the Treasury Board to oversee the spending of government, and to ensure that taxpayers' dollars are being spent wisely and that they are getting the best value for the money that is being spent.
Do you know what the cost to Canadian taxpayers has been for recouping CERB payments that people were ineligible for?
11:50 a.m.
President of the Treasury Board
The Canada Revenue Agency has that number, and we could provide it to you as a follow-up.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Great. Thanks, Mrs. Block.
We have Mr. Kusmierczyk, please, for five minutes.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, welcome back to OGGO. We always love having you here and getting your testimony.
Your mandate letter includes accelerating the “Greening Government commitments to electrify the entire federal fleet of light duty vehicles by 2030.” You and I had an excellent conversation last week about the fact that in Windsor—Tecumseh we build the award-winning Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivan. I'm very much interested in the greening government program for the fact that I would dearly love to see more Chrysler Pacificas on Parliament Hill and in our fleets.
I wanted to ask you if you can speak to the progress that we're making on the greening government program, and specifically on the greening of the federal fleets as well.
11:55 a.m.
President of the Treasury Board
Thank you for that.
Yes, of course we are moving forward and actually making sure that our fleets are zero-emission by 2050, but we also want to make sure that we have the appropriate infrastructure so that those vehicles can be electric. For most of them, of course, we're focusing on that, and the one you were sharing with me, the Pacifica, should be on our list of possibilities, of course, to invest in Canada. In my mandate, working with the centre for greening government, we will continue to show the work and the progress that we're doing for greening government.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
That's terrific, Minister. That really is heartening to hear.
I want to shift gears a little bit and ask you about how our federal government is advancing the inclusion of Canadians with disabilities as well.
11:55 a.m.
President of the Treasury Board
Thank you.
This is something that is actually very dear to my heart, because in my mandate letter, I have been asked to commit to hire at least 5,000 new public servants with disabilities by 2025. Every organization, of course, as we know, needs to embrace disability inclusion. We are the largest employer in Canada; therefore, we need to lead by example.
We're currently piloting a workplace accessibility passport that is across 20 different departments. This documents the employees' needs and tracks their workplace accommodations so these employees no longer have to relitigate every time they have either a change in managers or an advancement in the system. Our government also created the office of public service accessibility and the first-ever accessibility strategy for the public service of Canada. As you know, we really need to create a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves and realize their full potential.
We still have a long way to go, but we are making some progress. I even challenged my cabinet colleagues to show how we can make that progress and make sure we get to the 5,000 target. But we need to do much more. We have talent across Canada that we need to bring in.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
I absolutely agree with you that we need to do more on that front and bring in the incredible talents that persons with disabilities have in Canada too. They can only benefit and improve our federal service.
I wanted to ask you whether you or maybe the officials have an update on how we are measuring up in terms of the target of hiring the 5,000. Do we have a timeline or an estimation of how we're doing on that?
11:55 a.m.
President of the Treasury Board
Again, it's by 2025 that I have this mandate. We are slowly making progress. Maybe Carole would have more specific numbers, but I will tell you that the mandate I have is net new employees, so that 5,000 is not just for somebody who may be in the system already. It has to be new employees.
One difficulty we have is that many Canadians who live with a disability don't necessarily want to disclose that information. Therefore, we have to try different ways to demonstrate that we are focusing our efforts. That is one challenge we have.
Of course, I recognize that some people living with a disability don't want to check a box. Working together and making sure that we find those opportunities for people living with a disability to feel that they can belong to the work of the Government of Canada is my objective. I welcome parliamentarians of all parties—and also, of course, senators—to suggest to me how we can really move this objective.
Noon
Voices
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Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Minister, are you done, or will you be staying around for a bit more?
Noon
President of the Treasury Board
Thank you again, Chair. I'm surprised that you didn't ask me any questions, but I'm sure you will next time. Please feel free to continue to talk to me about your experience and, actually, your expertise. You've been around this table for a very long time, and I know we can work with you.
Thank you so much, Chair.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Thank you.
If you noticed a twitch, that was me wanting to ask questions.
We will excuse the minister and continue with our next round, with Mrs. Kusie, please, for five minutes.
Noon
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Thank you very much.
Wow, Chair. The minister said she can work with you. I'm shocked, knowing you so well.
Noon
Voices
Oh, oh!