Government Operations Committee on May 31st, 2023

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

Thank you.

I just want to share with my colleagues what I heard from the secretariat, which is that Black public servants continue to experience significant racial trauma in the public service. What we have right now is a lot of workers on long-term leave, or they're coming in to work and suffering, but nothing is happening to help them right now. Black workers still can't access the mental health supports they've been promised. We need transparency and accountability on this issue. We need to know whether this program has been led by Black workers.

Here's what I'd like to do. The minister came before OGGO. She wasn't able to provide a concrete answer to any of my questions last time or, really, today. I didn't feel it was sufficient.

I'd like to ask for that information now, if I can ask for the will of the committee to support me. I'll ask that the government provide in writing the current status of the Black mental health program; what Black involvement has been and is currently part of the process, and exactly who is involved and how they contributed; how much of the funding has been spent and what it has been spent on; the plan for the next program phase and how much funding will be needed; and when the program development will be complete and whether the program will be released publicly.

Through you, Mr. Chair, if I can get the will of the committee, I would ask them to table those documents within three weeks.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Colleagues, it seems pretty straightforward.

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have a question.

I didn't catch the last part. I'm sorry, Gord.

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

The last question that I'd like answered is on when the program development will be complete and whether the program will be released publicly. It has been requested by the Black Mental Health Secretariat.

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'm just wondering....

Gord, again, as I said, in the interest of understanding that it might take a little time to get that information here, is it a hard three weeks, or is there a bit of leeway here to make sure that we can get that information?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Three weeks was what our motion said.

Ms. Laroche, you have your hand up. Do you want to address anything?

[Mireille Laroche]

Yes. I was wondering if you would like me to address some of these answers right now.

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

Sure. I just don't know how much time we're going to have, because we have 15 seconds left.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

We don't have the time. I think that's why Mr. Johns is asking for it in writing.

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

I'm hoping to get the answers back in writing. That's what I'd be looking for.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

What if we say “three weeks”, as is required in the motion, and then if there are difficulties on one or two of the items, that you contact the clerk in advance and advise us in advance if there will be any delays?

Is that fair, colleagues?

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

I'd be fine with that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

That's wonderful.

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

Mr. Johns, you have about an extra 15 seconds left over from Mr. Kusmierczyk.

I just want to say thanks to the public servants for the important work they do and to the many thousands of people who work in their departments. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Wonderful.

I just have a couple of quick items, if you don't mind.

Would you be able to provide us with the GBA+ analysis that was conducted for the supplementary estimates (A), as well the GBA+ analysis done on the new work-from-home travel policy that Ms. Block has brought up? Would you be able to provide that to the committee in writing, please?

Wonderful.

I'm sorry. Before you go, to go back to Mr. Housefather's commentary, it is up to the chair and the committee, but it has been the tradition in OGGO since I've been here—2015—and also in public accounts that the clock stops at the introduction of a motion. In the past, colleagues have given up the balance up their time, so it is allowed.

Thanks for bringing that up and clarifying it, Mr. Housefather.

Colleagues, we are now adjourned.