I've talked already about loyalty with federal public sector workers. We also know that working conditions and wages are heavily correlated to increased production, accuracy and retention. My understanding is that instead of making a good government salary, some of these workers were making $18 or $19 an hour.
We know that over the years, Treasury Board and the PSAC have negotiated a number of rights specific to call centre workers, not to mention higher wages, benefits and job security. We know that working conditions for the workers themselves would be much better there.
ESDC also offers some robust resources, support and training for these workers, although there are some problems. Again, it puts them in a position where they're equipped to provide a high level of quality public services to a client.
These contracts don't enrich Canada. They're enriching what's ultimately, right now, an American-based company that specializes in debt collection and has a long history of poor working conditions. I think if we were to poll Canadians and ask what they thought about 1-800-O-Canada and about not reaching their government but a contracted out service, they would say they should be in touch with a public sector worker.
For all of these reasons, we feel pretty strongly that we should end the contracting out of this service.